Lecturer at Maynooth University Department of Law, Dr David Doyle has been awarded a research grant as part of the Irish Research Council COALESCE research fund to confront societal challenges.
The COALESCE fund is run by the Irish Research Council under the Collaborative Alliances for Societal Challenges (COALESCE) programme. A total €5.3 million was allocated amongst 21 successful projects that will address key national and global societal issues.
His project aims to investigate the legal, commercial, and ethical implications of patenting de-extinct animals. It will also explore the possible ramifications of doing so, as well as raising questions around the scope of patents, and need for urgent reconsideration of the role of ethical considerations within patent decision-making.
Announcing a total of €5.3 million in funding, Peter Brown, Director of the Irish Research Council, said: ““We are delighted to have partnered with so many Government departments and partners to deliver the COALESCE programme, particularly the Department of Foreign Affairs who made a significant investment of €2.1 million towards the fund. The research carried out under the COALESCE fund has the potential to make a significant contribution to public policy in Ireland and further afield. Government departments are moving towards expert-led, evidence-based research in response to current priorities and policy needs. The call for 2021 will see even more government departments partnering with the fund, which will open up new areas for research.
“The projects announced today bring the Council’s and our partners’ total investment in research focused on societal issues to €11.8 million, since the establishment of COALESCE".