I haven’t read the editorial yet, but I’m not sure where the notion that this was a centerpiece of evidence comes from. I was vaguely aware of this result but never have paid it much attention. I suspect that if one talked to active AIDS and HIV researchers they’d say that there was a very strong case even without this. But yes, conservation of expected evidence does come into play here, so you have a valid point. In any event, the upshot that Koch’s postulates are not seen as any sort of absolute is very much relevant.
I haven’t read the editorial yet, but I’m not sure where the notion that this was a centerpiece of evidence comes from. I was vaguely aware of this result but never have paid it much attention. I suspect that if one talked to active AIDS and HIV researchers they’d say that there was a very strong case even without this. But yes, conservation of expected evidence does come into play here, so you have a valid point. In any event, the upshot that Koch’s postulates are not seen as any sort of absolute is very much relevant.