Model Organisms

by Rachel A. Ankeny, Sabina Leonelli

Overview

This Element presents a philosophical exploration of the concept of the 'model organism' in contemporary biology. Thinking about model organisms enables us to examine how living organisms have been brought into the laboratory and used to gain a better understanding of biology, and to explore the research practices, commitments, and norms underlying this understanding. We contend that model organisms are key components of a distinctive way of doing research. We focus on what makes model organisms an important type of model, and how the use of these models has shaped biological knowledge, including how model organisms represent, how they are used as tools for intervention, and how the representational commitments linked to their use as models affect the research practices associated with them. This title is available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781108742320
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	01/28/2021
Series:	Elements in the Philosophy of Biology
Pages:	100
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.06(h) x 0.20(d)

Table of Contents

1. Model Organisms; 2. What Do Model Organisms Represent?; 3. How Do Model Organisms Represent?; 4. For Whom Do Model Organisms Represent?; 5. The Model Organism Repertoire; 6. When are Model Organisms 'Good' Representations?; 7. Conclusions: What Future For Model Organisms?.