Epistemological simplifications and associated risks

The technology of biological control of non-native species

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34024/prometeica.2023.28.14529

Keywords:

invasion biology, ecology, biological control, epistemic bases, epistemological simplification

Abstract

Biological control of non-native species that cause economic and environmental damage is the most relevant technology in Invasion Biology. Although there is agreement that this technology is more environmentally friendly than chemical control, there are open discussions about associated risks. In this paper, we analyze, using scientific review articles as sources, the epistemic bases underlying the development and evaluation of risks associated with biological control, mainly if epistemological simplification occurs and its role in underestimating risks. The analysis shows that four interrelated types of epistemological simplification occur: i) interactions between the control agent and target or non-target species are mainly one-to-one, physiological, linearized and decontextualized; ii) the predominance of organismic and infra-organismic levels as relevant factors in connection with theories and concepts of Ecophysiology, which obviates interactions, processes and mechanisms that occur at the community and ecosystem level, and the associated theoretical frameworks of Ecology; iii) exclusion of relevant evolutionary mechanisms such as adaptation and post-introduction phenotypic plasticity; iv) restriction of temporalities and spatialities to those of physiological and behavioural processes of the organismic level or lower. This scenario results in an underestimation, or direct omission, of environmental risks, such as potential alterations that the biological control event can impose on non-target species; and community and ecosystem processes and mechanisms.

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Author Biographies

  • Nicolás José Lavagnino, Universidad de Buenos Aires - CONICET

    Nicolás José Lavagnino es Doctor en Ciencias Biológicas por la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales de la Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina). Desde hace casi 20 realiza tareas de investigación en el Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) de Argentina. Sus investigaciones iniciales fueron en Biología Evolutiva y Ecología tanto experimental como teórica, para luego pasar a realizar investigación en Filosofía de la Biología, en la temática de los vínculos entre el conocimiento biológico, sus tecnologías y el rol de las mismas en nuestras sociedades. Ha publicado más de 20 artículos científicos, libros, capítulos de libros y particionado en 29 congresos y jornadas nacionales, y 33 internacionales.

  • Christian Francese, Universidad de Buenos Aires - CONICET

    Christian Federico Francese es egresado de la Licenciatura en Ciencias Biológicas de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales de la Universidad de Buenos Aires. Actualmente realiza su doctorado en Filosofía en la misma universidad. Es miembro del Grupo de Filosofía de la Biología, instancia de investigación interdisciplinaria de la Universidad de Buenos Aires. Es docente y ha escrito artículos en revistas especializadas. En sus investigaciones aborda la temática del reduccionismo, la relación entre ciencia y tecnología, y el lugar de la ciencia en las políticas públicas.

  • Federico di Pasquo, Universidad de Buenos Aires - CONICET

    Egresado de la carrera de Biología por la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (UBA), con especialidad en Ecología. Defendió su Doctorado en Biología, en temas de Historia y Epistemología de la Ecología, por la misma Facultad. A su vez, su Pos-doctorado se dirigió a la Epistemología de la Ecología, por la Facultad de Filosofía y Letras (UBA). Se desempeña como Investigador, en el área de Filosofía, en el Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Fue docente de la materia Introducción al Pensamiento Científico (CBC-UBA) y actualmente, es docente de la materia de Historia de las Ciencias (Fcen-UBA). Imparte diferentes cursos de posgrado en temas de Epistemología Ambiental y Problemáticas Ambientales y forma parte del Grupo de Investigación de Filosofía de la Biología.

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Published

2023-11-11

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Vol. 28 (2023): Prometeica - v 28 (11/2023 - 02/2024)

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Copyright (c) 2023 Nicolás José Lavagnino, Christian Francese, Federico di Pasquo

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How to Cite

Lavagnino, N. J., Francese, C. ., & di Pasquo, F. (2023). Epistemological simplifications and associated risks: The technology of biological control of non-native species. Prometeica - Journal of Philosophy and Science, 28, 53-73. https://doi.org/10.34024/prometeica.2023.28.14529
Received 2022-10-24
Accepted 2023-08-07
Published 2023-11-11