Baty Vincent, Mougin Bruno, Dekeuwer Catherine, Carret Gérard
Service de Gastroentérologie, Clinique Mutualiste, 107 rue Trarieux, 69003, Lyon, France,
Med Health Care Philos. 2014 Nov;17(4):579-97. doi: 10.1007/s11019-014-9552-2.
The human intestinal ecosystem, previously called the gut microflora is now known as the Human Gut Microbiota (HGM). Microbiome research has emphasized the potential role of this ecosystem in human homeostasis, offering unexpected opportunities in therapeutics, far beyond digestive diseases. It has also highlighted ethical, social and commercial concerns related to the gut microbiota. As diet factors are accepted to be the major regulator of the gut microbiota, the modulation of its composition, either by antibiotics or by food intake, should be regarded as a fascinating tool for improving the human health. Scientists, the food industry, consumers and policymakers alike are involved in this new field of nutrition. Defining how knowledge about the HGM is being translated into public perception has never been addressed before. This raises the question of metaphors associated with the HGM, and how they could be used to improve public understanding, and to influence individual decision-making on healthcare policy. This article suggests that a meeting of stakeholders from the social sciences, basic research and the food industry, taking an epistemological approach to the HGM, is needed to foster close, innovative partnerships that will help shape public perception and enable novel behavioural interventions that would benefit public health.
人类肠道生态系统，以前被称为肠道微生物群，现在被称为人类肠道微生物群（HGM）。微生物组研究强调了这个生态系统在人类体内平衡中的潜在作用，在治疗领域提供了意想不到的机会，远远超出了消化系统疾病的范畴。它还突出了与肠道微生物群相关的伦理、社会和商业问题。由于饮食因素被认为是肠道微生物群的主要调节因素，通过抗生素或食物摄入来调节其组成，应被视为改善人类健康的一个引人入胜的工具。科学家、食品行业、消费者和政策制定者都参与到了这个新的营养领域。定义关于HGM的知识是如何转化为公众认知的，这一问题以前从未被探讨过。这就引出了与HGM相关的隐喻问题，以及如何利用这些隐喻来提高公众理解，并影响个人在医疗政策方面的决策。本文认为，需要社会科学、基础研究和食品行业的利益相关者召开一次会议，从认识论的角度探讨HGM，以促进紧密、创新的伙伴关系，这将有助于塑造公众认知，并实现有益于公众健康的新型行为干预。
