- The biotech sector has recently embraced the microbiome, a market driven by affordable genome sequencing and venture capital. These startups promise bespoke treatments for various health issues, from gut problems to skin conditions.
- A report in Science alleges that many microbiome companies lack scientific rigor and meaningful regulation. They are accused of offering services based on guesswork in a complex and understudied area of human health.
- These companies claim to identify health problems or benefits by profiling an individual’s microbiome through genomic analysis. However, experts warn that this industry is largely unregulated and may be rife with misleading practices.
- The report criticizes the presentation of microbiome profiling and treatment as established science. There is no consensus on what constitutes a healthy human microbiome, making it challenging to validate these companies’ claims.
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