This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
LINDAU, Germany—A vaccine to prevent infections of cancer-causing human papilloma virus (HPV) is currently approved for use in the U.S. in boys and girls and in the U.K. in girls. The U.S. public health campaign focuses on vaccinating girls. The virologist who won a Nobel Prize for confirming that HPV causes cervical cancer supports educational efforts to help parents understand the importance of vaccinating girls. But he actually suggests a step further.
"I would say something a little more controversial," Harald zur Hausen said June 29 in a discussion here with two graduate students who met with him for a conversation filmed by a Nature video crew (Scientific American is part of Nature Publishing Group). "If you only vaccinate boys, you would have a better result than if you only vaccinate girls. Boys are a little more active than girls."
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
He acknowledged, however, that his thinking might be a bit utopian. (Cervical cancer kills 250,000 girls and women every year worldwide, and is the second leading cause of cancer death in women.)
The conversation included Jan Gralton, who is finishing her dissertation on rhinoviruses at the University of New South Wales in Australia, and Sven-Eric Schelhorn, a bioinformaticist who works on dynamics modeling for HCV and HIV at the Max-Planck Institute for Informatics. The students were among more than 500 selected to participate in this week's Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, giving them the opportunity to hear lectures by and gain career tips from more than 20 Nobel prize-winners.
The hour-long conversation covered topics ranging from zur Hausen's contention that an unknown virus in beef might be causing colorectal cancer (the correlation is already supported by research in the past few decades), his research investigating further links between viruses and cancers, points of connection among all three scientists' work, informed consent and other ethical issues around vaccines, the possibility that viruses might be commensal in the same way that some bacteria are, and where the field of cancer research is headed.
Below are some behind-the-scenes images of the shoot. Stay tuned this fall for a video of more highlights from this conversation.
The shoot took place in the breakfast room at Hotel Lindenallee, named for this incredible arcade of linden trees nearby (below).
Steadicam operator Andy Johnson discussed an opening shot with Charlotte Stoddart (center, below), who directed the video, and crew member Lilley Mitchell.
A light rain fell as Harald zur Hausen arrived and was escorted to the breakfast room by Jan Gralton (left, below) and Sven Schelhorn.
Crew member Lilley Mitchell (below, right) applied some finishing touches before the shoot got under way.
Crew member Azi Khatiri (below and next to two light stands) checked the sound on the scientists' microphones.
The conversation started, with three cameras rolling.
Steadicam operator Andy Johnson wore a brace to help him manipulate the weighted camera and capture some dynamic shots of the conversation.
Charlotte Stoddart consulted silently on a shot with Andy Johnson as the conversation continued.
Jan Gralton continued the conversation with Harald zur Hausen after the shoot concluded.
Crew member Azi Khatiri (right, below) wraps up some paperwork with Harald zur Hausen.
The crew wrapped the set and prepared for the rest of their shoots for the remainder of the week-long conference, as the scientists left the Hotel Lindenallee and headed to their lodgings.
