Fictional experimental modeling in biology: In vivo representation.

Area of Science:

• Philosophy of Science
• Experimental Biology
• Scientific Modeling

Background:

• In vivo biological experimental models are widely considered concrete and non-fictional.
• This perception stems from the use of living organisms, which are inherently real.

Purpose of the Study:

• To challenge the notion that all in vivo experimental models are non-fictional.
• To explore how the design of in vivo models can introduce fictional elements.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of the nature of in vivo experimental models.
• Examination of the constraints (imaginability, conceivability, credit-worthiness) influencing model design.

Main Results:

• In vivo models can incorporate fictional elements and processes through their design.
• These fictional aspects are integral to creating a 'credentialed fiction' that is scientifically plausible.
• The design process is constrained by factors that necessitate a degree of imaginative construction.

Conclusions:

• In vivo experimental models can possess fictional characteristics without compromising their credibility.
• The fictionality of a model does not preclude its validity as a representation of a phenomenon of interest.
• Understanding the fictional nature of these models is crucial for interpreting their results accurately.