Introduction

The story of Hoodia has captured the world's imagination. A plant used by the San to quench thirst and possibly hunger for centuries suddenly enters world markets as an appetite suppressant. Pictures from the Kalahari of poverty-induced thinness mingle with pictures of obese Westerners. A showcase for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in terms of the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use and fair and equitable benefit sharing? Alas, not quite. But it is a showcase for the challenges that indigenous communities, national and international policymakers, and industry face in realizing the letter and the spirit of the CBD. This book explains why.