Chasing Ghosts: Race, Racism, and the Future of Microbiome Research

Area of Science:

• Human microbiome research
• Race and racism studies
• Social and ecological equity

Background:

• The human microbiome field has increasingly incorporated race, both explicitly and implicitly.
• This trend raises concerns about the scientific rigor and ethical implications of current research.
• Historical and evolving uses of race in scientific literature warrant critical examination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the relationship between human microbiome science, race, and racism.
• To identify how race has been problematically used in microbiome literature.
• To propose actionable strategies for developing an antiracist microbiome science.

Main Methods:

• Critical examination of existing microbiome literature.
• Historical analysis of the integration of race in scientific discourse.
• Identification of explicit and implicit uses of race in research.

Main Results:

• The use of race in human microbiome science has increased significantly.
• Problematic applications of race limit the potential for rigorous and equitable research.
• Current practices risk perpetuating social and ecological inequalities.

Conclusions:

• A thorough examination of race and racism in microbiome science is essential.
• Moving forward requires developing antiracist approaches to research.
• This shift will foster more effective and just scientific endeavors.