The natural resources as well as the knowledge about them are not owned by individuals in traditional communities. These are collectively enjoyed by the community. There are individuals who are in possession of specialized knowledge and practices. These are held in trust for the well being of the community. They pass on these knowledge and related skills to their progeny. Some of this specialized knowledge is held by individuals who are known as shamans and medicine men or women. Those who are the holders of this knowledge are not expected to commercialize the knowledge and its practice.
The issue of commercialization by making the knowledge and its products tradable as a commodity has been intensely debated. One of the arguments that have emerged is that in the event of such commercialization, it is necessary that this has the prior informed consent of the holders of this knowledge and that a share in the economic benefits or profits should flow back to the community which developed this knowledge. However, these are yet to be firmly incorporated into national laws though international acknowledgment of the principles has been made.
Acquiring the biological material such as plants, microorganisms and animals or the traditional knowledge on these biological materials without the prior informed consent of those whose traditional knowledge or biodiversity are taken is called biopiracy. Hoodia earned the reputation as an appetite suppressant after this knowledge was discovered with the indigenous San people. The Hoodia extract has been the basis for a number of products in the weight loss market. After the media raised the issue of biopiracy, a share in the royalties is now offered to the San people. There are isolated examples of recognition of similar claims as Arogyapacha in India.
Internationally, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) set the principles for prior informed consent and a fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the commercial use of genetic resources and knowledge. The CBD came into force in 1993. It provides for the right of countries to control and regulate access to genetic resources of those countries. Bioprospectors who are prospecting for these genetic resources are required to obtain informed consent to access these genetic resources. National governments are required to control and regulate these resources. This convention has been ratified by all the countries except for Brunei, Andorra, Iraq, Somalia and United States.
We can find many treatments for obesity in today’s market. Yet, natural remedies like the Hoodia Extracts, are always a good choice because it’s safe and effective.