The two sides of the hourglass:analytic and syntheticapproaches in cancer research

Marta Bertolaso

Resumen


Consolidation of experimental science has brought about the triumph of the analytic perspective that decomposes nature in order to understand its molecular instances. This methodological approach reinforced the reductionism that has dominated empirical research in biomedicine over the last century. Cancer research constitutes an example. Nevertheless, the evolution of the interpretative models of its etiopathogenesis shows how different levels of biological organization might be involved in cancer origin and progression. New models have been challenging traditional reductionism, moving towards a systemic view that is posing an epistemological stance in cancer research, revealing the potentialities beyond a synthetic perspective in studying biological phenomena and showing how the level of causal explanation become crucial to understand cancer. A new reflection on the philosophy of causation seems to be required through the integration of both perspectives, in order to provide a comprehensive causal account of the neoplastic process.

Keywords: Cancer research, reductionism, biological complexity, biological causes, prediction, control.


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