As we have read in this realm of Decentralized Science (DeSci), one of the cutting-edge forms of this movement is the financing methods, which occur through quadratic funding, grant applications, and DAOs.
Just to remind you a bit about what a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) is, it's an alternative to project funding that empowers scientists by making them owners of their intellectual property. DAOs utilize Blockchain technology to conduct their activities and make decisions.
I decided to focus on Athena DAO because it's the first organization in Decentralized Science focused on improving the treatment, diagnosis, and research of women's reproductive health. Over the years, women have not received adequate attention to these medical and health needs.
Here, I'd like to emphasize some important figures taken from The Wham Report.
* Before 1993, most testing done in clinical trials and diagnostic and device development was conducted on men.
* Male animals outnumbered females 5 to 1 in pharmacology studies and 3.7 to 1 in physiology studies.
* It wasn't until 2016 that female mice were mandated to be included in research by NIH.
Since its inception, Athena DAO has focused on topics such as ovarian aging, menopause, gynecological cancers, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), fertility, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids.
Ovarian Aging
As we age, there are physiological changes. Ovarian evolutionary changes result from a decrease in the follicular population, which, when the number of follicles decreases to below 1000, causes the ovary to lose its ability to cycle normally. Oocyte quality undergoes changes that determine the progressive decline in fertility in women over 35 years old. According to research on evolutionary changes and reproductive physiology in women, the most common changes observed include an increase in aneuploidies, mitochondrial dysfunctions, changes in microcirculation, and a decrease in defensive capacity against Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). This is where the organization seeks to support research projects to reach the underlying causes of reproductive deterioration in women.
Gynecological Cancers
Gynecological cancer refers to cancer that begins in a woman's reproductive organs. The main types of cancer are cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar cancer, and another rare but existing type is Fallopian tube cancer. Neoplasms of the female genital tract constitute a significant problem worldwide. A clear example is cervical cancer, which remains the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, with over 500,000 new cases per year and approximately half of that number resulting in deaths (Hill Emil K., 2019). Currently, Athena DAO has issued a call to researchers working with the aim of seeking treatment, diagnosis, and improving the quality of life for patients with these types of cancers.
Menopause
Menopause signifies the permanent cessation of menstruation, where oocytes are depleted, and gonadal steroid loss occurs. The reproductive hormonal environment of the menopausal transition precipitates bothersome vasomotor symptoms, mood alterations, temporary cognitive dysfunction, and many pathological processes that reduce the quality of life for affected women. This transition can last for more than ten years and causes symptoms in the majority of women. While there are options to alleviate symptoms, concerns about women's health still exist. Athena DAO is focused on understanding the factors causing menopause and the health outcomes that promising future treatments can yield.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is a condition that affects ovarian function. The three characteristics of PCOS are irregular periods, meaning ovulation does not occur regularly, excess androgens, high levels of male hormones in the body, causing physical signs such as excessive facial and body hair, and enlargement of the ovaries due to excess follicles. , yet 70% of affected women worldwide remain undiagnosed. It is crucial to deepen understanding of this disease as it is the most common cause of anovulation and one of the leading causes of infertility (WHO, 2023).
Fertility
Fertility studies provide information on the status of many conditions related to reproductive endocrinology and infertility, including ovulation disorders and recurrent miscarriages. These studies allow for the use of new interventions to diagnose and treat such conditions.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition that affects women of reproductive age (18-35 years), where tissue similar to the endometrium develops outside the uterine cavity. This is accompanied by pelvic pain and is a condition that, due to its symptoms, is perplexing. Endometriosis lesions are most commonly found in the fallopian tubes, the outer surface of the uterus, the ovaries, and the ligaments surrounding the uterus. Diagnosis takes years, and meanwhile, more conditions arise. It is estimated that 10% of women of reproductive age worldwide have endometriosis (WHO, 2021).
Currently, they have Three Health Reports focused on:
1. Vol I: Ovarian Aging
2. Vol II: PCOS and Endometriosis
3. Volume III: Gynecological cancers are the Mars of Oncology.
They have funded three significant projects, two of which are IP-NFTs:
The third project is a digital clinic called Ovom Care, which provides personalized fertility care through Artificial Intelligence Technology.
In this ecosystem, many organizations have developed an interest in improving the quality of scientific research by promoting projects with direct application to the population. With web3 tools, DAOs make this work possible. Athena DAO is a great example of the interest in these underfunded areas and improving the quality of life for women, as they are the backbone of the economy, society, and family, as well as enabling the collaboration of many science enthusiasts and making scientific endeavors truly open access.
I am very excited about what this ecosystem allows researchers to do, not just the opportunities and benefits that populations will have because of this decentralized science movement. It's not about replacing traditional science but being aware of the mistakes that have been made so that knowledge truly becomes a public good and reclaiming the right to it.
References
1. David Vantman, B. Margarita Vega (2010) Fisiología reproductiva y cambios evolutivos con la edad de la mujer. Revista Médica Clínica Las Condes. B.https://www.elsevier.es/es-revista-revista-medica-clinica-las-condes-202-articulo-fisiologia-reproductiva-cambios-evolutivos-con-S0716864010705459
2. Basic information about gynecologic cancers. (2023, junio 13). Cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/gynecologic/basic_info/index.htm
3. HILL, E. K. (2019). Updates in Cervical Cancer Treatment. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1. doi:10.1097/grf.00000000000005
4. Polycystic ovary syndrome. (s/f). Nhs.uk. Recuperado el 23 de marzo de 2024, de https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos/
5. Torres-Lobatón, Alfonso, Jiménez-Arroyo, Elisa P., Barra-Martínez, Rosalva, Oliva-Posada, Juan C., Suárez-Juárez, Carla A., & Morgan-Ortiz, Fred. (2020). Gynecological cancer: Evolution of its relative frequency. Revista médica del Hospital General de México, 83(4), 153-158. Epub 06 de septiembre de 2021.https://doi.org/10.24875/hgmx.20000096
6. Santoro, N., Roeca, C., Peters, B. A., & Neal-Perry, G. (2021). The menopause transition: Signs, symptoms, and management options. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 106(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgaa764