Symbiosis, an interdisciplinary concept with ethical applications

Symbiosis, an interdisciplinary concept with ethical applications

Following Anton de Bary, symbiosis can be widely considered as a durable association between organisms from different species and can therefore be applied to the durable relationship between the human host and its associated gut bacteria. We performed a qualitative research study on microbiota status between 2014 and 2017 within the research staff of MetaGenoPolis Unit showing an evolution of microbiota’s terminology from organ to symbiosis. Symbiosis, strictly speaking, is not related to the microbiota itself but rather to the relationship between the microbiota and the host. We show here that symbiosis is an interdisciplinary concept coming from biology and epistemology breaking the internal/external barrier of individuals. Moreover, we discuss here the interest of choosing symbiosis as an approach of relational ontology with fruitful consequences for both ethical reflection and clinical strategies by restoring communication between what can be called the participants to individuation in a symbiome framework.