Animal Models of Human Disease

Published: April 17, 2024

The crucial role of animal models in biomedical research calls for philosophical investigation how and whether knowledge about human diseases can be gained by studying other species. This Element delves into the selection construction to serve as preclinical substitutes patients. It explores multifaceted roles fulfil translational boundaries between humans animals are negotiated this process. book also covers persistent challenges that have sparked debates across scientific, philosophical, public arenas regarding limitations future models. Among tensions standardization variation medicine, well strategies aiming reduce recapitulate biological complexity. Finally, examines prospects replacing with animal-free methods. demonstrates why modeling should interest philosophers, social scientists, scientists alike.

Language: Английский

---

Philosophy of Physiology

Published: Jan. 27, 2025

Time is ripe to complement the question 'what health and disease?' in philosophy of medicine with a 'philosophy physiology.' Indeed, actors this debate share conviction that 'foundational' concept dictates scientific field what be considered healthy or pathological leaves it explore only facts mechanisms. Rejecting presupposition, physiology accepts biomedical sciences redefine their own object: healthy, pathological. various theories disease health, philosophers have rarely studied, form core research, too hastily as science 'without theories.' The Element identifies them, clarifies content, presuppositions, scope. Finally, proposes new about unity phenomenon: not do all diseases common?' but rather, 'why susceptibility universal necessary characteristic living beings?'

Language: Английский

---

Cultural Selection

Published: June 3, 2024

Humans learn in ways that are influenced by others. As a result, cultural items of many types elaborated over time build on the achievements previous generations. Culture therefore shows pattern descent with modification reminiscent Darwinian evolution. This raises question whether selection-a mechanism akin to natural selection, albeit working when learned passed from demonstrators observers-can explain how various practices refined time. Element argues selection is not necessary for explanation adaptation; it hybrid explanations draw aspects and attraction theory; reproduction makes problems highly formalised approaches selection; uses case-study demonstrate importance human agency cumulative adaptation.

Language: Английский

---

Explanation in Biology

Published: Jan. 16, 2025

This Element examines philosophical accounts of scientific explanation, particularly those that apply to biology and the life sciences. Two main categories explanation are examined in detail –causal explanations non-causal explanations. The first section this provides a brief history some basics on explanation. Section 2 covers causal by discussing foundational topics area, such as defining causation, selection, reductive is followed an examination distinct types including appeal mechanisms pathways, cascades. third non-causal, mathematical explanations, which have received significant attention philosophy Three discussed: topological constraint-based optimality efficiency minimal model title also available Open Access Cambridge Core.

Language: Английский

---

Towards a Conceptual Framework to Better Understand the Advantages and Limitations of Model Organisms

European Journal of Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 61(7)

Published: March 31, 2025

ABSTRACT Model organisms (MO) are widely used in neuroscience to study brain processes, behavior, and the biological foundation of human diseases. However, use MO has also been criticized for low reliability insufficient success rate development therapeutic approaches, because led overoptimistic simplistic applications, which sometimes resulted wrong conclusions. Here, we develop a conceptual framework support scientists their practical work foster discussions about power limitations. For this purpose, take advantage concepts developed philosophy science adjust them application by neuroscientists. We suggest that can be best understood as tools gain information group species or phenomenon interest. These learning processes made possible some properties MO, facilitate process acquisition understanding provide advantages, possibility transfer between species. residual uncertainty remains, incorrect generalizations side‐effects epistemic benefits, consider representational risks. This suggests most effectively, should analyze similarity relation involved species, weigh advantages risks certain invest carefully designed validation experiments. Altogether, our analysis illustrates how benefit from philosophical research practice.

Language: Английский

---

Controlled Experiments

Published: Dec. 4, 2024

Control is a key ingredient of scientific experimentation; arguably, an uncontrolled intervention or manipulation not even genuine experiment. Experiments in the life sciences, however, are notoriously difficult to control due complexity and variability living things. This Element discusses general features controlled experimentation, epistemic practical aspects, historical perspectives. It argues that experimentation has material-technical conceptual side. shifts focus from experiments, comparisons with control, broader issue controlling for background factors as epistemologically fundamental experimentation. To understand nature one needs consider making – design phase particularly conceptualization treatment factors. The experiments at same time constitutive knowledge can be gained experiment, contingent on research situation, historically shaped.

Language: Английский

---

Biological Organization

Published: Dec. 4, 2024

Living systems are complex made of components that tend to degrade, but nonetheless they maintain themselves far from equilibrium. This requires living extract energy and materials the environment use them build repair their parts by regulating activities based on internal external conditions in ways allow keep living. The philosophical theoretical approach discussed this Element aims explain these features biological appealing organization. It addresses classical more recent issues philosophy biology, fromorigins definitions life teleology functions, an original perspective mainly focused system, its physiology behavior, rather than evolution. discusses revises conceptual foundations presents updated version it. title is also available as Open Access Cambridge Core.

Language: Английский

---

Slime Mould and Philosophy

Published: Dec. 10, 2024

Physarum polycephalum, also known more colloquially as 'the blob', 'acellular slime mould', or just 'slime is a unicellular multinucleate protist that has continued to attract the interest of biologists over past century because its complex life cycle, unique physiology, morphology, and behaviour. More recently, attention shifted model organism for investigating putative cognitive capacities such decision making, learning, memory in organisms without nervous systems. The aim this Element illustrate how can be used valuable tool approaching various topics philosophy biology. behaviour not only pose challenge some received views biological processes but also, I shall argue, provide an opportunity clarify appropriately sharpen concepts underlying views.

Language: Английский

---

Scope Validity in Medicine

Philosophy and medicine, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 115 - 133

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Abstract This chapter introduces scope validity as a conceptual tool to capture the (mis)matching of scopes disease operationalizations in different contexts research and application. Drawing on examples extrapolating results from animal models human patient populations, proposes shift perspective away idealized target constructs that can be hit towards concrete practices operationalization render diseases researchable. It argues we need take seriously locally varying conditions under which concepts operate impact assessment model’s validity. Combining an adequacy-for-purpose view with practice-oriented, pragmatist particularistic concepts, presents relational concept does not presuppose extent test or generalizability some hypothetical ideal. offers us possibility distinguish between high external for small population, broad applicability. Scope thus replace other such predictive validity, construct but rather helps clarify qualify frame model test’s should assessed, putting question adequacy medical forefront.

Language: Английский

---

From Cells to Organoids: Sociological Considerations for the Bioengineering of Human Models

Sociology of Health & Illness, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 23, 2024

ABSTRACT By examining the laboratory practices behind designing and crafting organoids—miniature, three‐dimensional cellular structures that replicate organ functions—we highlight a critical shift in biomedical research. Over past 16 years, advances stem cell research have transitioned from generating cells to utilising these building sophisticated models bioengineered tissues. This transition represents significant move ‘what’ of creation ‘how’ constructing interpreting human models. Through ethnographic (including observations interviews) Europe North America, we explore how organoids are constructed underlying logic driving their development. Our analysis underscores growing importance vitro for health, urging sociological examination ‘near human’ status. We argue understanding implications this shift—particularly it influences perceptions representation diversity research—requires scrutiny sociologists health illness. paper aims address urgent need investigate not just experimental challenges but also socio‐political dimensions using as proxies physiology.

Language: Английский

---