Have Causal Claims About the Gut Microbiome Been Over-Hyped?

Abstract

Microbiome research attributes to whole microbiomes a causal role in the occurrence of different health outcomes. I argue, following some distinctions about causal relationships and explanations made within a philosophical account of causation, the ‘interventionist account,’ that such claims need more scrutiny.

Pierrick Bourrat

Senior Lecturer & DECRA Fellow

My research interests include the various concepts deployed in evolutionary theory, causation, and the interplay between biological and cultural evolution.