Biological plausibility asks whether a known or hypothesized mechanism could produce the observed effect. It is one of the Bradford Hill considerations and draws on toxicology, animal studies, and mechanistic research.
Absence of a known mechanism does not disprove causation.
Alternative Names:
Plausibility, Mechanistic Plausibility
Why it Matters?
Plausibility is limited by current knowledge, which cuts both ways in litigation. A plaintiff cannot establish causation on plausibility alone, since a mechanism that could explain an effect does not show the effect occurs. A defendant arguing implausibility faces the response that mechanisms are frequently identified after epidemiological associations are established. The consideration supports rather than establishes causation conclusions.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Can plausibility alone establish causation?
Does implausibility defeat causation?
