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07/19/2004:

"Africa develops appetite for patents"

JOHANNESBURG: Southern African countries are seeking to restrict trade in a rare plant hungrily sought by drug companies for its appetite-suppressing properties, a government official recently said.

The Hoodia cactus has been used for thousands of years by southern Africa's San Bushmen to dampen their appetites during long treks through the harsh Kalahari desert and holds the key to potentially lucrative anti-obesity drugs.

Full Article : indiatimes.com