How the microbiome challenges our concept of self

Tobias Rees; Thomas Bosch; Angela E. Douglas

doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.2005358

Loading metrics

Open Access

Essays articulate a specific perspective on a topic of broad interest to scientists.

See all article types »

How the microbiome challenges our concept of self

Tobias Rees ,

Contributed equally to this work with: Tobias Rees, Thomas Bosch, Angela E. Douglas

Affiliation Social Studies of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
⨯
Thomas Bosch ,

Contributed equally to this work with: Tobias Rees, Thomas Bosch, Angela E. Douglas

* E-mail: tbosch@zoologie.uni-kiel.de

Affiliation Zoological Institute and Interdisciplinary Research Center Kiel Life Science, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9488-5545

⨯
Angela E. Douglas

Contributed equally to this work with: Tobias Rees, Thomas Bosch, Angela E. Douglas

Affiliation Department of Entomology & Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
⨯

How the microbiome challenges our concept of self

Tobias Rees,
Thomas Bosch,
Angela E. Douglas

Published: February 9, 2018
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.2005358

Reader Comments

Post a new comment on this article

Changing concept of self

Posted by DRR on 12 Jun 2018 at 16:39 GMT

This type of redefining the self does indeed have major implications for arts and humanities as well as science.

Psychology has long been on the border of Arts and Humanities and Science. Psychologists have long dealt with the fact that we are much more than our genetics. Genetics may well set limits but developmental environment, culture, the interaction between the way we look and the way society treats us etc etc.

But microbiome research does indeed add yet another layer of complexity. Incorporating these new insights into what goes into being a human into aspects of arts and humanities, including law, will be an interesting development to follow... I look forward to this integration...should add more awareness to how we do and can influence others and vice versa.

No competing interests declared.

Subject Areas
?

For more information about PLOS Subject Areas, click here.
We want your feedback. Do these Subject Areas make sense for this article? Click the target next to the incorrect Subject Area and let us know. Thanks for your help!

Microbiome
Is the Subject Area "Microbiome" applicable to this article?

Thanks for your feedback.
Human genomics
Is the Subject Area "Human genomics" applicable to this article?

Thanks for your feedback.
Human genetics
Is the Subject Area "Human genetics" applicable to this article?

Thanks for your feedback.
Microbial genetics
Is the Subject Area "Microbial genetics" applicable to this article?

Thanks for your feedback.
Acquired immune system
Is the Subject Area "Acquired immune system" applicable to this article?

Thanks for your feedback.
Animal behavior
Is the Subject Area "Animal behavior" applicable to this article?

Thanks for your feedback.
Sensory perception
Is the Subject Area "Sensory perception" applicable to this article?

Thanks for your feedback.
Human learning
Is the Subject Area "Human learning" applicable to this article?

Thanks for your feedback.

How the microbiome challenges our concept of self

How the microbiome challenges our concept of self

Reader Comments

Post Your Discussion Comment

Why should this posting be reviewed?

Thank You!

Changing concept of self

Posted by DRR on 12 Jun 2018 at 16:39 GMT