The little death: Rigoni-Stern and the problem of sex and cancer in 20th-century biomedical research

Abstract

Approaches to the organization and conduct of cancer research changed dramatically throughout the 20th century. Despite marked differences between the epidemiological approaches of the first half of the century and molecular techniques that gained dominance in the 1980s, prominent 20th-century researchers investigating the link between sexual activity and anogenital cancers continuously invoked the same 1842 treatise by Italian surgeon Domenico Rigoni-Stern, who is said to originate the problem of establishing a causal link between sex and cancer. In this article, I investigate 20th-century references to Rigoni-Stern as a case of a broader phenomenon: scientists situating their work through narratives of venerated ancestors, or originators. By explaining shifting versions of originator narratives in light of their authors' cultural context and research practices, we can reimagine as meaningful cultural symbols the references that previous scholars have treated as specious rhetorical maneuvers. In this case, references to Rigoni-Stern provide an interpretive anchor for American scientists to construct continuity between their work and a diverse historical legacy of cancer research.

The bad expert

“…Science brings itself into being at least partially by naming and telling stories about itself (Herzig, 2004). For example, Aviles (2015) shows how cancer scientists situate their work in stories of brilliant 'originators', ancestor scientists who act as cultural symbols to help stakeholders reinterpret the history of their field, thereby allowing them to tell coherent stories about their work in the present. Narratives are central to the 'doing' of science.…”

The oncogenic pathways of papillomaviruses

“…In this report, he pointed out that no cases of cervical cancer were found in nuns and virgins 4,8 . This observation has given rise to the idea that there may be a link between sexual behaviours and genital cancers 9 . From a virological perspective, American Richard Shope focused on the viral origin of squamous cell carcinomas in rabbits, making cottontail rabbit PV (CRPV) the first PV veterinary model 10‐12 .…”

Situated Practice and the Emergence of Ethical Research

“…Under Lowy’s advisement, Schiller began investigating the papillomavirus (PV) family as a postdoctoral researcher in 1983. Lowy and Schiller aimed to contribute to the growing body of evidence that indicated infection with certain HPV strains was a necessary cause of many cervical cancers (see Aviles 2015). Schiller notes that when he and Lowy initiated their inquiry into PVs, the idea of a vaccine was far from their minds.…”