Pradeu, Thomas (2016) Mutualistic viruses and the heteronomy of life. Studies in history and philosophy of biological and biomedical sciences. ISSN 1879-2499

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Abstract

Though viruses have generally been characterized by their pathogenic and more generally harmful effects, many examples of mutualistic viruses exist. Here I explain how the idea of mutualistic viruses has been defended in recent virology, and I explore four important conceptual and practical consequences of this idea. I ask to what extent this research modifies the way scientists might search for new viruses, our notion of how the host immune system interacts with microbes, the development of new therapeutic approaches, and, finally, the role played by the criterion of autonomy in our understanding of living things. Overall, I suggest that the recognition of mutualistic viruses plays a major role in a wider ongoing revision of our conception of viruses.

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Item Type:	Published Article or Volume
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Pradeu, Thomas
Keywords:	Autonomy, Co-infection, Immune system, Microbiota, Mutualism, Symbiosis, Virobiota, Virus
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology > Developmental Biology Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory Specific Sciences > Biology > Function/Teleology Specific Sciences > Biology > Molecular Biology/Genetics ٠ Out of Print ٠
Depositing User:	Thomas Pradeu
Date Deposited:	22 May 2016 16:30
Last Modified:	22 May 2016 16:30
Item ID:	12106
Journal or Publication Title:	Studies in history and philosophy of biological and biomedical sciences
DOI or Unique Handle:	10.1016/j.shpsc.2016.02.007
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology > Developmental Biology Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory Specific Sciences > Biology > Function/Teleology Specific Sciences > Biology > Molecular Biology/Genetics ٠ Out of Print ٠
Date:	2016
ISSN:	1879-2499
URI:	https://philsci-archive-dev.library.pitt.edu/id/eprint/12106

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