The Center for Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh invites you to join us for our Lunch Time Talk. Attend in person at 1117 Cathedral of Learning or visit our live stream on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.

LTT:  Michael Dietrich

Tuesday, October 29 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm EDT

Title: Does species diversity matter for biological research?

Abstract:  Most biologists will admit that their choice of research organism has important consequences for their work and their findings.  Should we be concerned then if the range of organisms used in research is narrowing?  From 1970 to 2015 most of the fields in modern biology have shown a decline in the number of species that they consider in their research.  In this paper, we consider both how to characterize this decline and how to explain it.  We propose that three factors are contributing to these trends in organism use and changes in research biodiversity: preferences for model organism use in biological research, preferences for human-based research with medical translations, and preferences for single species research over comparative research.

Can’t make it in-person? This talk will available online through the following:

Zoom:  https://pitt.zoom.us/s/96053378053 

YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.