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Area of Science:

  • Microbiome research
  • Philosophy of science
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Contemporary microbiome research frequently invokes deterministic principles.
  • Two key deterministic claims are identified: host genetics dictating microbiome composition and holobiont genetics influencing phenotypic traits.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate the concept of determinism in microbiome research.
  • To distinguish between "host-microbiome determinism" and "microbiome-phenotype determinism".

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual analysis of deterministic claims in microbiome literature.
  • Application of the stability of traits conception of individuality to holobiont assembly and function.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests both "host-microbiome determinism" and "microbiome-phenotype determinism" are prevalent in current literature.
  • The study finds these deterministic hypotheses lack grounding in current knowledge of holobiont assembly and trait expression.

Conclusions:

  • Current understanding of holobiont transgenerational assembly and phenotypic expression does not support strong deterministic claims.
  • A re-evaluation of deterministic assumptions in microbiome research is warranted.