An appetite suppressant agent from Hoodia developed by CSIR scientists, promises to become the first natural food ingredient for weight management based on a plant indigenous to the African continent. The research programme that led to this potential product started at CSIR in 1963, and today includes major multi-national companies, farmers and communities. An analysis of the key innovative steps in the research programme illustrates the value of combining modern science and ancient knowledge on the use of South Africa’s rich biodiversity. Hoodia illustrates the potential of bioprospecting to produce significant economic and social benefits for a nation. The processes leading to the creation and protection of intellectual property, licensing to commercial partners and the benefit-sharing agreement with the San people, custodians of indigenous knowledge on the use of Hoodia, are discussed
Reference:
Maharaj, VJ, Senabe, JV, and Horak, RM. 2008. Hoodia, a case study at CSIR. Science real and relevant: 2nd CSIR Biennial Conference, CSIR International Convention Centre Pretoria, 17&18 November 2008, pp 4
Maharaj, V., Senabe, J., & Horak, R. (2008). Hoodia, a case study at CSIR. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/2539
Maharaj, VJ, JV Senabe, and RM Horak. "Hoodia, a case study at CSIR." (2008): http://hdl.handle.net/10204/2539
Maharaj V, Senabe J, Horak R, Hoodia, a case study at CSIR; 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/2539 .