Human Practices

Integrated Human Practices

Understanding the Problem Beyond Biology

Obesity is not only a medical condition but also a deeply social issue. While GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have gained global attention, their misuse, illegal sales, and the reinforcement of body-shaming culture highlight how treatments can unintentionally create new harms. Through news analysis, surveys, and outreach, we confirmed that patients, adolescents, and the general public often lack trustworthy information about safety, side effects, and alternatives. Alongside wet-lab work, we will co-design policy, education, patient/user experiences and journeys, and sustainable access to digital healthcare so that any future intervention is safe, equitable, and resistant to misuse.

Integrated Human Practices Key Takeaways

• Policy & Compliance: Draft consent and transparency flows; align with GDPR/HIPAA concepts for data minimization, purpose limitation, and clear user rights (info/withdrawal).
• Safety-by-Design UX: In-app guardrails to prevent misuse/over-medicalization (clear eligibility prompts, risk explanations, “stop-and-check” nudges, clinician handoff triggers).
• Education & Media: Public-facing card news and explainers that emphasize health and sustainability over “quick weight loss,” with anti-stigma language guidelines.
• Equity & Access: Pricing/coverage scenarios, access for adolescents and vulnerable groups, multilingual content, and low-tech alternatives.
• Community Governance: Community advisory panel (patients, clinicians, educators) to review messages and artifacts before release; feedback loops integrated into updates.
• Data Ethics: FAIR-aligned metadata for microbiome research, de-identification for user data, and red-team reviews of algorithmic recommendations.
• Misuse Monitoring: Reporting channels for illegal sales/signals of abuse; escalation playbook with medical partners.

Ethical Questions We Asked

If we create an effective treatment, who might be harmed? Could drugs unintentionally strengthen social stigma or encourage overmedicalization? How can we balance scientific efficacy with dignity, equity, and cultural sensitivity?

Stakeholder Engagement

• Adolescents & Public: surveyed awareness of obesity drugs and social stigma.
• Healthcare Professionals: interviewed doctors, RA specialists, and industry experts on long-term safety, regulatory hurdles, and unmet needs.
• Cultural/Community Groups: analyzed online discourse around body image and cyberbullying.

Our Activities

• Instagram Campaign: Card news series covering drug mechanisms, global market trends, and social issues (illegal sales, stigma, celebrity controversies).
• Surveys: Collected public perceptions of GLP-1 drugs and obesity-related prejudice.
• Expert Interviews: With physicians and industry leaders to assess viability of microbiome-based solutions.

Lessons Integrated into the Project

Safety and ethics must be built into design from the start (clear guardrails on digital health & AI). Communication strategy should highlight health and sustainability, not just “weight loss.” Our solution must prevent misuse by pairing biotech with transparent education and community engagement.

Integrated Human Practices Roadmap

Hybrid Approach to Obesity Treatment

We propose a hybrid program that combines GLP-1 therapy (e.g., Wegovy) for rapid, evidence-backed weight loss while on treatment with microbiome/probiotic-derived extracellular vesicle (EV/exosome) strategies and structured behavioral coaching to build long-term metabolic durability. The goal is to achieve short-term loss and long-term maintenance together.

Proposed Complementary Mechanisms

GLP-1 (Wegovy)

Delivers robust short-term loss and maintenance while on drug; however, substantial regain is common after discontinuation^[1], underscoring the need for pairing from day one with nutrition, activity, sleep, and behavioral support, plus a structured off-ramp if discontinuation is planned.

Microbiome/Probiotic-derived Evs

Hypothesized to shift metabolic set-points via bioactive cargos (e.g., proteins/miRNAs). Microbiome/probiotic- derived EVs may modulate metabolic and inflammatory pathways, but their clinical maturity is early, so rigorous validation is required before any therapeutic claims^[2]. This approach should be positioned as a research-driven maintenance track with strict safety, ethics, and data standards.

Social Perception and Misuse of Obesity Drugs

1. The Social Context: Body Image and Weight Loss Culture in Korea

In Korea, body image remains deeply tied to celebrity culture and public perception. The public response to artist Suhyun’s recent weight change sparked widespread speculation that she had used Wegovy, a GLP-1–based obesity medication.

Suhyun publicly refuted the rumors, emphasizing discipline, diet, and long-term wellness:

“I didn’t use Wegovy. It’s really unfair. I’ve been resisting spicy foods like malatang and tteokbokki, exercising diligently, and building healthy eating habits while battling myself every day. I’m managing my health the proper way for a sustainable, healthy life.”

While her clarification focused on balance and sustainability, online reactions revealed how easily health discussions become moralized or aestheticized – reducing wellness to appearance and fueling cycles of body shaming and bullying.

This incident reflects a broader social reality: the line between medical treatment and appearance pressure is often blurred, particularly when weight loss becomes a public spectacle.

Public discourse and stigma around weight loss in Korea^[3],[4]: Singer-songwriter Lee Suhyun (AKMU) drew attention for her noticeably changed appearance after losing weight. Suhyun publicly denied using Wegovy, emphasizing that her recent weight change came from sustained habits rather than drugs.
Suhyun’s story is a case of how speculation and stigma often surround personal health choices.

2. Misuse and Illicit Distribution of GLP-1 Drugs

At the same time, the rapid rise of GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic has created an entirely new challenge. Across social-media platforms in Korea and abroad, users now share dosage information, prescription screenshots, and black-market purchase links, bypassing medical supervision and legal controls.

Some online communities promote these drugs as “shortcut diet aids,” transforming prescription medicine into a lifestyle commodity and framing weight loss as a test of discipline rather than a matter of clinical care.

This unregulated ecosystem has led to safety risks, counterfeit circulation, and distorted public understanding of obesity treatment. Beneath these trends lies a deeper structural problem: body pressure amplified by social media, idol culture, and performance norms.

Adolescents and young adults increasingly equate thinness with self-control and moral virtue, while viewing scientific interventions as either a “cheat” or a shameful secret. The paradox is clear—obesity is medicalized, yet body image remains moralized.

Any future biomedical solution, therefore, must not only prove biological efficacy but also address the cultural and ethical narratives surrounding its use.

Social media post advertising prescription weight-loss drugs^[6]
Translation:
“I was able to buy it through Instagram! Sharing tips below.”
“Because Mounjaro is a prescription obesity drug, you can’t buy it at a pharmacy in Korea. However, even without an obesity diagnosis you can purchase it through Instagram.”
“Extra discount tip! Use this discount code to get an extra ₩10,000 off”

Social media^[5] comment thread about prescription weight-loss drugs
“Public comment threads show active, informal ‘how-to’ exchanges on obtaining prescription weight-loss drugs—including inquiries about underage use—highlighting risks of misinformation, unsupervised access, and normalization of off-label behavior.”

Translated comment excerpts (usernames redacted)
• “Is the loss of appetite for sure? What about depression?”
• “Any side effects from Wegovy?”
• “After how many injections did your appetite go away?”
• “How can I get a prescription? If someone is underage, did your parents accompany you? Also, how did you get approval?”

3. Team Essential’s Integrated Human Practices Approach: Redefining Obesity Through Empathy and Design Thinking

Recognizing these intertwined issues, our team redefined obesity not as a failure of willpower but as a multi-dimensional condition—biological, psychological, and social. We designed Lacto-Bexo and its companion digital healthcare platform to emphasize long-term health management rather than instant transformation.

Our guiding principles include:

• Stigma-free communication: framing our message around wellness, balance, and self-care, not correction.
• Education and transparency: clarifying the distinction between food-based probiotic solutions and pharmaceutical drugs.
• Behavioral continuity: incorporating gamified habit-tracking features that reinforce sustainable lifestyle patterns. Through Human Practices workshops and empathy-based interviews, we co-created inclusive messaging that reduces shame, strengthens agency, and encourages informed engagement. The result is a model of obesity management that is scientifically grounded, socially aware, and emotionally safe.

4. Reflection: Science in the Age of Social Virality

The stories of Suhyun and the online Wegovy trade illuminate a broader truth: in the digital era, scientific innovation cannot exist apart from social perception. When biotechnology becomes a viral phenomenon, its ethical framing and communication strategy determine whether it benefits public health or deepens existing inequalities. By internalizing these lessons early in our design process, Lacto-Bexo aims to set a new precedent for socially conscious biotech innovation—where health, empathy, and scientific integrity evolve together.

Stakeholder Analysis: Expert Interviews

Expert Interviews > Questions

As part of our Integrated Human Practices and Entrepreneurship Research, Team Essential conducted expert interviews with physicians, pharmaceutical R&D strategists, and healthcare business professionals.

These structured interviews were designed to capture stakeholder perspectives across the medical, industrial, and regulatory ecosystem.

By asking questions spanning market trends, technological synergies, regulatory hurdles, and commercialization strategy, we sought to:

• Understand real-world feasibility of probiotics-based obesity treatments.
• Identify key value drivers that differentiate food-based and drug-based approaches.
• Anticipate regulatory and ethical challenges before moving toward translational development.
• Align our project direction with industry expectations and policy priorities.

These insights directly informed our project design, validating that Lacto-Bexo occupies a unique space between biomedical innovation and functional nutrition, offering a sustainable and socially responsible model for future development.

Expert Interviews > Stakeholder Insight Summary

Purpose and Method

As part of our Integrated Human Practices and Entrepreneurship research, Team Essential conducted structured interviews with medical specialists, pharmacologists, and biotechnology researchers to gather multi-angle insights into the evolving obesity treatment ecosystem.

Our goal was to understand stakeholder perspectives across clinical practice, R&D strategy, regulation, and consumer behavior, and to ensure that our project aligns with real-world feasibility and ethical expectations.

Each expert was interviewed using a 16-question framework addressing market trends, technology innovation, AI integration, and microbiome therapeutics, with additional open-ended questions about safety, patient perception, and future R&D priorities.

Key Takeaways

1. The GLP-1 Landscape — Powerful but Limited

Experts consistently agreed that GLP-1 receptor agonists (like Wegovy) represent a breakthrough in obesity treatment but face clear biological and social limitations.

“The effect is undeniable — about 15% body weight reduction over 68 weeks, with improvements in cardiovascular markers,” one physician noted, referencing the STEP trial results.

“However, gastrointestinal side effects, the need for long-term maintenance, and high cost make it unsustainable for many patients.”

Another expert warned that “once discontinued, most patients regain significant weight within a year or two”, emphasizing that GLP-1 drugs require continuous management, not short-term use.

There was also concern about potential neurobehavioral side effects, as one endocrinologist stated:

“Because GLP-1 acts on the hypothalamus and reward circuits, prolonged suppression could theoretically cause mood blunting or depressive symptoms.”

Despite these challenges, interviewees agreed that GLP-1s will remain dominant for the next 5–10 years, particularly as oral formulations and combination agents (GLP-1/GIP/Glucagon) enter the market.

2. Scientific Potential of Microbiome-Based Therapy

All interviewees recognized the scientific promise of microbiome and exosome-based approaches, though they emphasized the need for mechanistic clarity and translational evidence.

“Unlike metabolites, microbial exosomes carry proteins, RNA, and lipids that can directly influence host signaling pathways,” one biomedical researcher explained.

“They may modulate fat oxidation, insulin sensitivity, and inflammatory responses through the AMPK and NF-κB pathways.”

Another interviewee added:

“It’s a difficult but exciting direction. We still don’t fully understand how gut microbes interact with metabolism, but focusing on simpler outcomes like metabolic balance or inflammation control is promising.”

Experts also pointed out that Lactobacillus species have an advantage due to their GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status, but warned that manufacturing, standardization, and inter-individual variability remain key challenges before human trials.

3. Integration and Future Co-Therapy Models

Most experts viewed Lacto-Bexo’s concept as complementary rather than competitive with GLP-1s.

“Targeting post-ingestion metabolism and appetite signaling are separate mechanisms,” one physician remarked.

“A combination approach could allow lower doses of GLP-1s and reduce side effects.”

Others foresaw hybrid treatment ecosystems combining biomedical therapy + functional food + digital coaching — mirroring trends toward long-term adherence and behavioral reinforcement.

4. AI and Personalized Prescription — High Hopes, Cautious Reality

Interviewees were cautiously optimistic about AI-assisted medication management but highlighted practical and ethical constraints.

AI can help support remote counseling and monitor interactions, “but expert judgment cannot be replaced. Human insight is still essential.”

Another added, “Most patients self-report symptoms inaccurately — AI models relying on that data may amplify errors.”

The consensus: AI should act as a “clinical assistant, not a replacement”, augmenting rather than automating medical decision-making.

5. Guidance for Future Researchers and Startups

Experts strongly encouraged our team to maintain logical, evidence-based research and design multidisciplinary collaborations early on.

“From the start, include endocrinology, neurology, microbiology, nutrition, and data-science experts,” one clinician advised.

“And never separate scientific development from communication — public understanding and safety education are part of the treatment ecosystem.”

They also stressed early regulatory planning for live biotherapeutic products (LBPs):

“CMC validation and regulatory dialogue should start from day one,” a regulatory consultant emphasized.

“Manufacturing and safety verification are the hardest parts, not the science itself.”

Impact on Our Project

These interviews validated our project’s direction in three ways:

Scientific Relevance: Experts confirmed the credibility of microbiome-derived exosomes as next-generation metabolic modulators beyond GLP-1s.

Commercial Alignment: Their insights directly shaped our Business Model Canvas and 5C Analysis, clarifying our positioning between functional food and biopharma.

Human Practices Integration: Stakeholder input reinforced the importance of ethical communication, stigma-free framing, and regulatory foresight, guiding both our experimental and entrepreneurial planning.

Stakeholder Analysis: Public Engagement

Purpose

To complement our expert interviews, Team Essential Korea designed an international survey to capture public perception, attitudes, and lived experiences related to obesity, diet, and health management.

Our aim was to understand how social norms, economic conditions, and access to healthcare shape people’s experiences with body weight and self-perception — and to use these insights to refine both the scientific and social dimensions of our project.

Method

We distributed a multilingual questionnaire through Google Forms, shared globally via Slack, Discord, and international student networks.

The survey was available in five languages — Korean, English, Spanish, French, and Chinese — to ensure inclusivity and cross-cultural participation.

Questions were grouped into five themes:

Personal Experience and Awareness — participants’ perceptions of obesity and its causes.

Health Behavior and Motivation — patterns of diet, exercise, and health tracking.

Perception of Treatments — awareness of medical, digital, and probiotic-based interventions.

Social and Emotional Factors — body image, stigma, and support systems.

Expectations for Future Solutions — trust in biotechnology, digital health tools, and education programs.

The survey received over 50 valid responses from participants across Asia, Europe, and North America, including students, working adults, and healthcare-related professionals.

Key Findings

1. Awareness vs. Understanding

While 85% of respondents considered obesity a serious health condition, fewer than half could identify it as a metabolic disorder rather than a “lifestyle problem.”

This gap reflects the persistence of moralized views of body weight — a key social challenge our project seeks to address.

2. Behavior & Motivation Patterns

A majority of respondents reported having tried at least one weight-management strategy in the past year.

Top approaches included:

• Increased exercise (62%)
• Nutritional supplements (31%)
• App-based programs (28%)

However, long-term adherence was consistently cited as the greatest challenge.

“I start motivated, but after a few weeks, it feels unsustainable,” one respondent commented.

3. Social Pressure and Stigma

Over 60% of participants reported experiencing or witnessing body-shaming in school, online, or workplace settings.

Younger participants (ages 15–25) described social media comparison as a leading factor in body dissatisfaction.

“Even if you’re healthy, if you don’t fit the trend body, people assume you’re lazy,” one participant noted.

These findings support our project’s emphasis on stigma-free communication and mental-wellness-oriented messaging.

4. Perception of Biotechnology

When asked about willingness to try microbiome-based or exosome-based products,

• 47% said they were open if safety was verified
• 33% were curious but skeptical
• 20% were uncomfortable with the concept of “bioengineered health foods.”
• This data confirmed the importance of transparent communication, labeling, and public education — key priorities in our human practices roadmap.

Impact on Project Design

The survey results guided several important design and communication choices for Lacto-Bexo and its digital Companion App:

• Terminology Simplification: Shifted from “therapeutic exosomes” to “microbiome-derived wellness proteins” for accessibility.
• Educational Layer: Added explainer modules within the app clarifying how microbiome balance supports metabolism.
• Stigma-Aware Framing: Reframed obesity management around well-being and energy balance, not “correction.”
• Cross-Cultural Sensitivity: Ensured visual and linguistic inclusivity across promotional and wiki materials.

These voices reaffirmed three priorities for our Integrated Human Practices and Product Communication strategy:

1. Empathy over judgment — addressing body image and stigma as central to metabolic health.

2. Transparency & literacy — helping users understand the science behind the microbiome.

3. Trust through accessibility — designing Lacto-Bexo and its Companion App as approachable, human-centered wellness tools rather than distant biotech products.

Appendix: Multilingual Survey Questionnaire offered in Korean | English | French | Spanish | Chinese (Mandarin)

References