Letter: Virus vs bacteria

Thursday 19 August 1999 23:02 BST

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Sir: For more than a century, scientists from all over the world have reported that cancer can be caused by non-virus microorganisms, notably so-called "pleomorphic bacteria". Once again, however, while recognising the infectious nature of cancers like leukaemia ("Found: the cause of leukaemia", 14 August), the medical-scientific establishment continues to chant the mantra, "Virus, virus".

Until the fact that bacteria can cause cancer is fully recognised, and work on the connection is funded by government agencies and charities, we will never make progress in the treatment of this horrific disease.

Dr MILTON WAINWRIGHT

Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Sheffield University

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