Inclusivity and equity in human microbiome research

The microbiome is an ancient and integral regulator of human physiology. However, population and geographical differences, including in diet, environment, and cultural and clinical practices, have given rise to regional variations in composition. In turn, these variations are reflected in rates of morbidity and mortality for microbiome-influenced conditions. For example, the geographical distributions of immunogenic bacteria that metabolise human milk oligosaccharides have been linked to patterns of childhood autoimmune diseases, and the relative prevalence of bacteria responsible for the metabolism of dietary fat and fibre has been shown to contribute to differences in colon cancer incidence in migrants to new cultures.