  It seems that each of these authors is pointing to an important role for structural organization in the maintenance of homeostasis as playing an important role in carcinogenesis. Indeed, evidence provided by Bissell’s lab (Weaver, et al. 1997, 2002) seems to indicate that structural features of the extracellular matrix somehow either prevent the emergence of disease, or can accelerate it.  It seems such examples do not point to “downward causation,” but instead suggest that we need to expand our understanding of the causes of cancer to include maintenance of tissue integrity. That is, the case of cancer seems to require a richer, more integrative and interdisciplinary approach to investigating cancer.