Institut für Ethik und Geschichte der Medizin

“Human Microbiomes and Antibiotic Resistance: Epistemological, Historical, and Ethical Implications of an Anticipated Paradigm Shift“,  “Cluster of Excellence 2124 „Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)“

Duration: January 2020 - December 2022

The human microbiome has emerged as an area of utmost interest in medical research and practice, especially in the wake of increasing numbers of reported antibiotic resistances. Due to the latest discoveries in this field, a substantial number of biomedical disciplines seem on the verge of a paradigm shift. The project aims to offer a critical reflection on this anticipated paradigm shift by providing an integrative historical, epistemological, and ethical perspective.  

Within the interdisciplinary framework delivered by the Cluster of Excellence 2124 “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections” (CMFI) the project combines both practical microbiome research with state-of-the-art ideas from the medical humanities.

The goals of the project are threefold. 

• A historical analysis of the developments leading to the demand for a paradigm shift in the affected medical research communities. The project aims to trace the development of discrepancies in the discussion of antimicrobial resistance and the growing awareness of the importance of the microbiome.
• An epistemological inquiry into the concepts of ‘paradigm’ and ‘paradigm shift’. The project seeks to create an overview of current conceptions on potentially shifting paradigms in microbiome-related research and clinical practice focusing on antimicrobial resistance.  By employing standardized and structured interviews with experts and stakeholders, the project examines what is meant by the alleged paradigm shift, its components, and interactions.
• A discussion of potential ethical consequences of the paradigm shift. The project wants to discuss the harm and benefit of current strategies of e.g. Antibiotic Stewardship Programs. Furthermore, the project aims to provide strategies for dealing with arising ethical issues related to microbiome research in clinical practice and biomedical research.