Consider the story of Maria, a dedicated scientist from a small Brazilian town. Maria has a groundbreaking idea that could transform agricultural practices in her region, potentially increasing crop yields sustainably and aiding local farmers. Yet, despite her diligently designed project proposal, Maria ends up facing an all-too-common hurdle in her quest for funding – all the typical avenues are biased against projects from developing regions. And then for reasons completely out of her control, her innovations are left undervalued and financially unsupported.
Maria may be hypothetical, but her struggle is a reality faced by countless scientists in the global South. Scientists who struggle with limited access to essential reagents and technology, and have no choice but to deal with this unfair distribution of biotech advances. This imbalance stymies the entire global scientific progress and has profound impacts on healthcare, agriculture, and economic growth in these regions.
Understanding the Global South and its Challenges
Now, to be specific, when we say 'global South', what we're referring to are countries predominantly in the Southern Hemisphere, usually characterized by low industrialization and economic development. These regions could face disparities in wealth, power, and access to resources, contributing to poverty and limited healthcare and education.
Specifically in biotech, scientists here confront restricted access to essential reagents like enzymes or culture media. They also face resource and infrastructure hurdles. For instance, extended shipping durations and inadequate refrigeration systems often result in vital biomaterials arriving in a denatured and thus unusable state.
These challenges stem from high costs, logistical hurdles, and reliance on imports. For instance, while a company in the UK might receive a shipment from a provider like TWIST Bioscience within days, similar deliveries to the global South could take significantly longer. Further, there's often a lack of adequate funding, equipment, and maintenance services for scientific research in these regions. This limitation hinders the ability to conduct advanced research, develop local solutions, and sustain a thriving bioeconomy.
And this is a major problem – because of all this, the global South frequently lacks the infrastructure and resources to fully participate in and benefit from the bioeconomy. This disparity leads to a concentration of biotech advancements in more developed countries, perpetuating global inequities in scientific progress and its benefits. As noted in an article in Nature, ‘The lack of funding in developing countries for international collaborations and the reliance of these countries on Northern funds may lead to unequal relationships and skew the research focus towards the needs of the developed countries'.
These challenges have been explored in more detail during ValleyDAO’s Science Spotlight with Dr. Jenny Molloy, who is building technologies for an open, globally inclusive and equitable bioeconomy.
Creating Change with DeSci
Decentralized science (DeSci) is a movement that aims to build public infrastructure for funding, creating, reviewing, crediting, storing, and disseminating scientific knowledge fairly and equitably using the blockchain. And it's a key technology that could help solve these challenges.
Firstly, it facilitates collaboration between scientists from the global North and South. By leveraging the internet, DeSci enables any scientist to contribute to a project, decentralizing research ideas worldwide. This model of international cooperation not only integrates diverse scientific methodologies but also ensures the equitable sharing of research advancements across borders.
Such synergy is important for addressing global issues like climate change and pandemics, which demand a unified global response. There's growing evidence that scientific collaboration is key in transformative innovation in the life sciences, including drug discovery and development. Closed approaches to these processes can stifle collaboration and slow the pace of producing new vaccines and immunizations, highlighting the importance of a unified, global approach in science.
Furthermore, DeSci’s unique approach to funding is revolutionizing the traditional landscape. It introduces crowdfunding and microfinancing, which are methods of raising small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically via the Internet. This approach enables individuals and organizations globally to directly support synthetic biology projects in the global South.
By democratizing the funding process, DeSci enables research that might otherwise be overlooked due to institutional biases or lack of local sector development. This shift allows grassroots innovations to thrive, supporting groundbreaking research recognized and funded by a passionate community, regardless of geographical location. Such a model diversifies the scientific ecosystem, ensuring that valuable scientific pursuits are not hindered by traditional funding barriers or agendas.
Another significant stride made by DeSci in leveling the playing field is through increased access to essential research tools and resources. Traditionally, the high costs and limited availability of state-of-the-art biotech equipment have been significant barriers for researchers in the global South. DeSci addresses this gap by aiming to provide open access to vital tools and relevant protocols, as well as other measures to mitigate the hurdles of cost and accessibility.
Through these efforts, DeSci is tackling the current challenges faced by scientists in the global South and laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and equitable scientific community. This is paving the way towards a future where biotech innovation and discovery are boundless, enriching the global scientific landscape with diverse and vibrant contributions from every corner of the world.
The Ripple Effect of Empowering the Global South
Advancements in the global South have far-reaching impacts on global medicine and agriculture. Rich in biodiversity and unique genetic resources, the region is pivotal for scientific breakthroughs. A Nature Reviews Microbiology article highlights the potential of its biodiversity and traditional knowledge, essential for health solutions and encouraging North-South collaboration. Meanwhile, a PubMed review stresses the need to address health disparities between developed and developing countries, emphasizing the role of emerging biotechnologies in public health improvement.
Further, inclusivity in research encourages innovation by bringing together diverse perspectives and experiences. Researchers offer fresh approaches to complex problems, combining traditional knowledge with modern biotech to develop unique solutions in areas like environmental sustainability and disease management. This diversity enriches global scientific discourse, integrating historically underrepresented voices.
As the global South progresses in biotech, it potentially narrows the scientific capability gap with the global North. While the West may continue to lead in cutting-edge biotech research, strides in the global South could contribute to a more balanced global scientific landscape. This progress, albeit gradual and not without challenges, holds the potential to bolster local economies, healthcare, and education in these regions, thereby contributing to a reduction in global disparities.
ValleyDAO's Commitment to Change
The team behind ValleyDAO is deeply committed to addressing disparities in the scientific world, fueled by their personal experiences. Their commitment to equality and diversity stems from studying alongside international peers in places like London, where the inequities of the current system became apparent. In another instance, one team member's visit to South Africa, where they engaged in teaching young students, was pivotal in realizing the critical need for building inclusivity. These experiences have shaped the team’s approach, emphasizing the importance of creating a more equitable and diverse scientific community.
ValleyDAO believes that change is not only possible but necessary. They are dedicated to nurturing the bioeconomy ecosystem in the global South in a way that respects local priorities and cultures, rather than imposing Western frameworks. By working towards a more equitable and inclusive scientific future, ValleyDAO is driving change that benefits everyone.
In conclusion, initiatives like DeSci and the commitment of organizations like ValleyDAO are instrumental in democratizing biotech, addressing the challenges faced by scientists in the global South, and unlocking the full potential of the global scientific community. Through their efforts, they are shaping a future where scientific progress knows no geographical boundaries and opportunities for positive impact are accessible to all.