Page "Bioprospecting" Paragraph 13

Hoodia, a succulent plant, originates from the Kalahari Desert of South Africa.

For generations it has been known to the traditionally living San people as an appetite suppressant.

In 1996 South Africa ’ s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research began working with medical companies to develop dietary supplements based on hoodia.

Originally the San people were not planned to receive any benefits from the commercialization of their traditional knowledge, but in 2003 the South African San Council made an agreement with CSIR in which they would receive from 6 to 8 % of the revenue from the sale of Hoodia products.