7 research outputs found
Darwinize It Two Times: On the Possibilities of Extending Evolutionary Medicine Through New Developments in Evolutionary Theory
In this paper, I will briefly summarize the history and current accounts
of Evolutionary Medicine (EM). I will show that EM, in its current forms, is using
an evolutionary understanding that carries the explanatory framework, as well as
explanatory limits, of the Modern Synthesis (MS). I will then point out some essential elements that need to be seen as limiting factors within EM and analyze the
limitations that are brought about by the MS understanding of it. On this basis,
I will argue that if the latest developments in evolutionary theory are considered
â in particular, those pertaining to the inheritance mechanisms highlighted by the
Extended Evolutionary Synthesis (EES), and the newly introduced evolutionary
entities â EM will have a much broader explanatory scope and increased explanatory power in addition to greater relevance, which will enable its application in
medical explanations
Global Epidemiology and Evolutionary History of Staphylococcus aureus ST45
Staphylococcus aureus ST45 is a major global MRSA lineage with huge strain diversity and a high clinical impact. It is one of the most prevalent carrier lineages but also frequently causes severe invasive disease, such as bacteremia. Little is known about its evolutionary history. In this study, we used whole-genome sequencing to analyze a large collection of 451 diverse ST45 isolates from 6 continents and 26 countries. De novo-assembled genomes were used to understand genomic plasticity and to perform coalescent analyses. The ST45 population contained two distinct sublineages, which correlated with the isolatesâ geographical origins. One sublineage primarily consisted of European/North American isolates, while the second sublineage primarily consisted of African and Australian isolates. Bayesian analysis predicted ST45 originated in northwestern Europe about 500âyears ago. Isolation time, host, and clinical symptoms did not correlate with phylogenetic groups. Our phylogenetic analyses suggest multiple acquisitions of the SCCmec element and key virulence factors throughout the evolution of the ST45 lineage
Integrating evolutionary aspects into dual-use discussion: the cases of influenza virus and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli
Research in infection biology aims to understand the complex nature of hostâpathogen interactions.
While this knowledge facilitates strategies for preventing and treating diseases, it can also be intentionally misused to cause harm. Such dual-use risk is potentially high for highly pathogenic microbes
such as Risk Group-3 (RG3) bacteria and RG4 viruses, which could be used in bioterrorism attacks.
However, other pathogens such as influenza virus (IV) and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC),
usually classified as RG2 pathogens, also demonstrate high dual-use risk. As the currently approved
therapeutics against these pathogens are not satisfactorily effective, previous outbreaks of these pathogens caused enormous public fear, media attention and economic burden. In this interdisciplinary review, we summarize the current perspectives of dual-use research on IV and EHEC, and further highlight the dual-use risk associated with evolutionary experiments with these infectious pathogens. We
support the need to carry out experiments pertaining to pathogen evolution, including to gain predictive insights on their evolutionary trajectories, which cannot be otherwise achieved with stand-alone
theoretical models and epidemiological data. However, we also advocate for increased awareness and
assessment strategies to better quantify the risks-versus-benefits associated with such evolutionary experiments. In addition to building public trust in dual-use research, we propose that these approaches can be extended to other
pathogens currently classified as low risk, but bearing high dual-use potential, given the particular pressing nature of their rapid evolutionary potential
Maoâs Marxist Negation of Marxism
In this paper, my main aim is to analyse Maoâs conception of Marxist theory and his Marxist subjectivity in theory construction in his three articles. While doing so, I will use two main approaches, first is the idea that Karl Marxâs method in understanding social relations and his theory of knowledge is in many aspects compatible and in continuation with an epistemological reading of Hegelâs subjectivity, and the second is the general structure about the relationship between the object and subjectâs process of knowing is similar in all three thinkers. While doing so, I will advocate the position that Maoâs epistemology is compatible with the Marxist understanding of Hegelian epistemology, and that from such an epistemological understanding it is possible to investigate Maoâs three texts in a way that yields, not an orthodox or âend resultâ Marxism, but instead a more general, meta epistemological understanding of Marx, that is understood better structurally. Eventually, I will claim that while using âscientificâ or âorthodoxâ Marxism as a method to understand society, Mao further uses the subjective element in the same way as Hegel and Marx used it, although eventually he diverts the Marxist subjective manoeuvre to another direction
Ethical, legal and social aspects of human cerebral organoids and their governance in Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States
Human cerebral organoids (HCOs) are model systems that enable researchers to investigate the human brain in ways that had previously been impossible. The emergence of HCOs was accompanied by both expert and layperson discussions concerning the possibility of these novel entities developing sentience or consciousness. Such concerns are reflected in deliberations about how to handle and regulate their use. This perspective article resulted from an international and interdisciplinary research retreat âEthical, Legal and Social Aspects of Human Cerebral Organoids and their Governance in Germany, the United Kingdom and the United Statesâ, which took place in TĂŒbingen, Germany, in August 2022. The retreat focused on whether HCO research requires new ethical and regulatory approaches. It addressed epistemic issues around the detection and theorisation of consciousness, ethical concerns around moral status and research conduct, difficulties for legislation and guidelines managing these entities, and public engagement