Droz L, Jannel R, Rupprecht CDD. Living through multispecies societies: Approaching the microbiome with Imanishi Kinji.
ENDEAVOUR 2022;
46:100814. [PMID:
35697549 DOI:
10.1016/j.endeavour.2022.100814]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Recent research about the microbiome points to a picture in which we, humans, are 'living through' nature, and nature itself is living in us. Our bodies are hosting-and depend on-the multiple species that constitute human microbiota. This article will discuss current research on the microbiome through the ideas of Japanese ecologist Imanishi Kinji (1902-1992). First, some of Imanishi's key ideas regarding the world of living beings and multispecies societies are presented. Second, seven types of relationships concerning the human microbiome, human beings, and the environment are explored. Third, inspired by Imanishi's work, this paper develops the idea of dynamic, porous, and complex multispecies societies in which different living beings or species are codependent on others, including microbiota and human beings.
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