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Dive into the research topics where Linda Van Speybroeck is active.

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Featured researches published by Linda Van Speybroeck.


Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences | 2006

From epigenesis to epigenetics: the case of C. H. Waddington.

Linda Van Speybroeck

Abstract: One continuous thread in this volume is the name of Conrad H. Waddington (1905‐1975), the developmental biologist known as the inventor of the term epigenetics. After some biographical notes on his life, this article explores the meaning of the Waddingtonian equation and the context wherein it was developed. This equation holds that epigenesis+genetics=epigenetics, and refers in retrospect to the debate on epigenesis versus preformationism in neoclassical embryology. Whereas Waddington actualized this debate by linking epigenesis to developmental biology and preformation to genetics, thereby stressing the importance of genetic action in causal embryology, todays epigenetics more and more offers the possibility to enfeeble biological thinking in terms of genes only, as it expands the gene‐centric view in biology by introducing a flexible and pragmatically oriented hierarchy of crucial genomic contexts that go beyond the organism.


Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences | 2006

Epigenetics: A Challenge for Genetics, Evolution, and Development?

Gertrudis Van de Vijver; Linda Van Speybroeck; D. De Waele

Abstract: In this paper, it is argued that differences in how one relates the genome to its surrounding contexts leads to diverse interpretations of the term epigenetics. Three different approaches are considered, ranging from gene‐centrism, over gene‐regulation, to dynamic systems approaches. Although epigenetics receives its widest interpretation in a systems approach, a paradigmatic shift has taken place in biology from the abandonment of a gene‐centric position on to the present. The epistemological and ontological consequences of this shift are made explicit.


Acta Biotheoretica | 2003

Reflecting on Complexity of Biological Systems: Kant and Beyond?

Gertrudis Van de Vijver; Linda Van Speybroeck; Windy Vandevyvere

Living organisms are currently most often seen as complex dynamical systems that develop and evolve in relation to complex environments. Reflections on the meaning of the complex dynamical nature of living systems show an overwhelming multiplicity in approaches, descriptions, definitions and methodologies. Instead of sustaining an epistemic pluralism, which often functions as a philosophical armistice in which tolerance and so-called neutrality discharge proponents of the burden to clarify the sources and conditions of agreement and disagreement, this paper aims at analysing: (i) what has been Kants original conceptualisation of living organisms as natural purposes; (ii) how the current perspectives are to be related to Kants viewpoint; (iii) what are the main trends in current complexity thinking. One of the basic ideas is that the attention for structure and its epistemological consequences witness to a great extent of Kants viewpoint, and that the idea of organisational stratification today constitutes a different breeding ground within which complexity issues are raised. The various approaches of complexity in biological systems are captured in terms of two different styles, universalism and (weak and strong) constructivism, between which hybrid forms exist.


Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences | 2006

Theories in early embryology: close connections between epigenesis, preformationism, and self-organization.

Linda Van Speybroeck; D. De Waele; Gertrudis Van de Vijver

Abstract: In current biological and philosophical literature, the use of the terms epigenesis and epigenetics has increased tremendously. As these terms are often confused, this paper aims at clarifying the distinction between them by drawing their conceptual and historical evolutions. The evolution of the term epigenesis is situated in the context of early embryological studies. Departing from Aristotles natural philosophy, it is shown that epigenesis gained alternating attention from the 17th century onwards, as it was introduced into neo‐classical embryology and considered to be the opposite of the preformationist tradition. Where preformation stated that the germ cells of each organism contain preformed miniature adults that unfold during development, epigenesis held that the embryo forms by successive gradual exchanges in an amorphous zygote. Although both traditions tried to explain developmental organization, religious and metaphysical arguments on the conception of embryonic matter as either active or passive determined the scope of their respective explanations. It is shown that these very arguments still underlie the use of gene‐centric metaphors in the molecular revolution of the 20th century.


Theory in Biosciences | 2000

The organism: A crucial genomic context in molecular epigenetics?

Linda Van Speybroeck

SummaryWhereas genetics refers to the study and mapping of linear nucleotide sequences, their mutations and inheritance, epigenetics refers to the structural organization and evolution of the genome. Epigenetic studies indicate that not all heritable information leading to the phenotype is “inscribed” in the DNA base sequence. In this sense, epigenetics — as the term indicates — goes beyond genetics, thereby (1) leaving behind the gene-centered view from within molecular biology itself, and (2) urging bio-philosophers to change their focus from criticizing the central dogma to evaluating new developments in molecular research.In the epigenetic approach, a hierarchy of genomic contexts can be revealed, consisting basically of an intracellular, an intercellular, and an organismic level. The first explorations on the organismic level suggest that under certain conditions the somatic constitution of the organism and how it stands in close interaction with its environment are to be taken into account as factors influencing the genomic constitution. Depending on the specificity of these conditions, the organism and its history and actuality can be seen as a crucial genomic context — leading to a more complex perception of the local dynamics and the structure of the genome and its consequences for development and evolution.This “organism in the world” view fits well with the philosophical tradition of Developmental Systems Theory, although epigeneticists seek to enlarge the genetic picture of biology by gradually expanding the range of molecular processes which influence the genome, thereby decentralizing the sovereign role of the genome, without loosing track of experimental demands.


Acta Biotheoretica | 2011

Normative Ethics Does Not Need a Foundation: It Needs More Science

Katinka Quintelier; Linda Van Speybroeck; Johan Braeckman

The impact of science on ethics forms since long the subject of intense debate. Although there is a growing consensus that science can describe morality and explain its evolutionary origins, there is less consensus about the ability of science to provide input to the normative domain of ethics. Whereas defenders of a scientific normative ethics appeal to naturalism, its critics either see the naturalistic fallacy committed or argue that the relevance of science to normative ethics remains undemonstrated. In this paper, we argue that current scientific normative ethicists commit no fallacy, that criticisms of scientific ethics contradict each other, and that scientific insights are relevant to normative inquiries by informing ethics about the options open to the ethical debate. Moreover, when conceiving normative ethics as being a nonfoundational ethics, science can be used to evaluate every possible norm. This stands in contrast to foundational ethics in which some norms remain beyond scientific inquiry. Finally, we state that a difference in conception of normative ethics underlies the disagreement between proponents and opponents of a scientific ethics. Our argument is based on and preceded by a reconsideration of the notions naturalistic fallacy and foundational ethics. This argument differs from previous work in scientific ethics: whereas before the philosophical project of naturalizing the normative has been stressed, here we focus on concrete consequences of biological findings for normative decisions or on the day-to-day normative relevance of these scientific insights.


Annals of Human Biology | 2012

Why humans do not make good vampires: testing the ability of humans to detect true blood

Delphine De Smet; Linda Van Speybroeck; Jan Verplaetse

Background: Research indicating the effects of real blood or of its iconic representation on human behaviour has thus far concentrated on phobia and aggressiveness. Little is known about other responses or, more fundamentally, about the biological basis of all such responses. Aim: In this study it is examined whether or not humans are able to detect real blood. Methods: Human subjects (n = 89) were asked to distinguish different kinds of blood from red control fluids under varying visual and choice conditions. Relevant differences between subjects were tested for through written questionnaires, including standardized scales for disgust sensitivity (DS-R) and blood phobia (MBPI) and performance on two clinical olfactory tests. Results: Analysis of variance shows that humans are excellent detectors of animal blood (in casu pig blood), whereas the ability of detecting human blood is much less developed. Surprisingly, differences in olfactory capacities and personal experience with blood have no effect on blood detection, while blood fear lowers and disgust sensitivity ameliorates this performance. Conclusion: This study allows further mapping of the exact role of disgust sensitivity in human behaviour, as well as a deliberate choice of materials in blood-related experiments. It is imperative for further research on the behavioural and psychological impact ‘blood’ resorts on humans.


RECASTING REALITY - WOLFGANG PAULI'S PHILOSOPHICAL IDEAS AND CONTEMPORARY SCIENCE | 2009

Exploring Pauli's (quantum) views on science and biology

Linda Van Speybroeck

Wolfgang Pauli is known as one of the most famous physicists of the 20th century. Next to an intensive treatment of physics, his impressive correspondence with fellow physicists also demonstrates a vivid interest in psychology and biology. Reflections on the mind-brain problem and on topics such as causality and evolutionary theory are readily present. In this paper, some central passages in this correspondence are discussed and linked to more current debates in philosophy of science and philosophy of biology. It is shown how Pauli speculatively explored how evolutionary theory can find inspiration in quantum theory and in its related concept of observer-dependency. Contra Kalervo Laurikainen’s interpretation, it is argued that Pauli’s criticism remains true to a naturalistic view on science and biology.


Journal of Agricultural & Environmental Ethics | 2008

Ethics in the societal debate on genetically modified organisms: A (re)quest for Sense and Sensibility

Yann Devos; Pieter Maeseele; Dirk Reheul; Linda Van Speybroeck; D. De Waele


Environmental Biosafety Research | 2006

The interplay between societal concerns and the regulatory frame on GM crops in the European Union

Yann Devos; Dirk Reheul; D. De Waele; Linda Van Speybroeck

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Yann Devos

European Food Safety Authority

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