The Identity of Stem Cell Kinds
Abstract
Stem cells are defined by their self-renewal and differentiation abilities. Through those properties, they ensure the production and renewal of organisms' cells and, in some species, the regeneration of lost parts, making them a key element of biology. Although they share a same function and definition, there is a wide diversity across stem cells, reflected by the fact that stem cells are categorized into various types and subtypes. This diversity among stem cells raises a key philosophical question: Do stem cells belong to a natural kind? Claims and arguments made by biologists and philosophers, far from converging toward a consensual response, highlight the need for more (interdisciplinary) investigation to advance this question. In response to this challenge, we explore the hypothesis that a phylogenetic approach may offer a productive framework for addressing these conceptual tensions.
After describing the strengths and limitations of such a strategy, we discuss how it can advance fields like regenerative medicine and cancer therapies by clarifying stem cell diversity and improving therapeutic strategies.
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BibTeX
@article{militello2026identity,
title = {{The Identity of Stem Cell Kinds}},
author = {Guglielmo Militello and Louis Pare and Eve Gazave and Lucie Laplane},
journal = {British Journal for the Philosophy of Science},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1086/743816},
url = {https://shs.hal.science/halshs-05759624v1},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The Identity of Stem Cell Kinds
AU - Guglielmo Militello
AU - Louis Pare
AU - Eve Gazave
AU - Lucie Laplane
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/26
JO - British Journal for the Philosophy of Science
DO - 10.1086/743816
UR - https://shs.hal.science/halshs-05759624v1
AB - Stem cells are defined by their self-renewal and differentiation abilities. Through those properties, they ensure the production and renewal of organisms' cells and, in some species, the regeneration of lost parts, making them a key element of biology. Although they share a same function and definition, there is a wide diversity across stem cells, reflected by the fact that stem cells are categorized into various types and subtypes. This diversity among stem cells raises a key philosophical question: Do stem cells belong to a natural kind? Claims and arguments made by biologists and philosophers, far from converging toward a consensual response, highlight the need for more (interdisciplinary) investigation to advance this question. In response to this challenge, we explore the hypothesis that a phylogenetic approach may offer a productive framework for addressing these conceptual tensions. After describing the strengths and limitations of such a strategy, we discuss how it can advance fields like regenerative medicine and cancer therapies by clarifying stem cell diversity and improving therapeutic strategies.
SN - 0007-0882
SN - 1464-3537
ER -