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1.1. VitaDAO
VitaDAO is one of the best-known DAOs in the DeSci space, with over 200 projects sourced, $3 million invested in research, and more than 1,300 token holders, including the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. Their token, $VITA, can be purchased using cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, and has a current market cap of $20 million.
The two most recent projects added to VitaDAO’s portfolio were started in April and June of this year, and both have a timeline of two years. The maximum returns for VitaDAO token holders are still to be determined, but the DAO is already fulfilling its role in sourcing, voting on, and funding research projects.
According to Paul Kohlhaas, the co-founder and CEO of MoleculeDAO, VitaDAO has achieved something that larger pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer have been trying to do for years: creating an open innovation ecosystem. This is seen as the dawn of biotech DAOs, with much more to come in this emerging space. 0 reply
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2. Challenges of DeSci
The article states that while DeSci (Decentralized Science) has the potential to address issues in the traditional scientific ecosystem, such as combating censorship, improving access to funding, and promoting equality and transparency, it still faces numerous challenges that it must overcome before it can truly transform the landscape of scientific research and discovery.
2.1. DeSci may face research quality issues
With token holders making decisions regardless of their scientific expertise, there is a risk of poor-quality research being funded. DAOs need to implement mechanisms for pre-screening proposals and involving verified experts to ensure research quality.
2.2. DeSci is not easy to access
Traditional scientists are rarely familiar with the crypto-wallets, tokens, NFTs, and other Web3 instruments that are central to DeSci. This creates a contradiction, as DeSci aims to use these Web3 tools to benefit scientists, but the scientists themselves struggle to engage with them. 0 reply
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Some DAOs exhibit a lack of true decentralization, with a few actors wielding significant control. Clear procedures for horizontal communication and decision-making, based on core values and mission, are needed to maintain decentralization.
For instance, one of the DAOs focused on democratizing access to psychedelics, called PsyDAO, recently blocked public discussion about potential conflicts of interest within its leadership. This type of behavior does little to help the DAO’s reputation, given the complex and sensitive nature of the problem they are trying to solve
While cryptocurrency still contains numerous uncertainties, the same can be said for DeSci. However, the challenges faced by DeSci are not temporary flaws like those of TradSci, but rather issues that can be improved upon. 0 reply
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