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From life force to slimming aid : exploring views on the commodification of traditional medicinal knowledge.

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From life force to slimming aid : exploring views on the commodification of traditional medicinal knowledge. / Vermeylen, Saskia.
In: Applied Geography, Vol. 28, No. 3, 07.2008, p. 224-235.

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@article{4931072af229404a84f282cec48b15cb,
title = "From life force to slimming aid : exploring views on the commodification of traditional medicinal knowledge.",
abstract = "The commodification of traditional knowledge is a lively topic for academic debate, with opinions ranging from categorical rejection of this process, to views that it could be a liberating act. This debate is often characterised by generalisations and a lack of empirical engagement. This paper presents a case study of the commercialisation of traditional medicinal knowledge of the San in Southern Africa. A scenario survey in 3 communities reveals a range of different views amongst individuals and communities, much of which could be linked to differing local and historic socio-economic factors. Although the survey indicates that commodification is widely accepted, the subsequent use of a {\textquoteleft}life story{\textquoteright} approach to examine the actual commercialisation of the Hoodia (Hoodia Gordonii—a plant with appetite suppressant properties), shows that this acceptance is problematic. San informants reflect on it as a pragmatic choice informed by experiences of deprivation and economic hardship, resulting in a process which changes the cultural meaning of the plant and undermine its traditional healing power for the San themselves.",
keywords = "Benefit sharing, Commodification, Indigenous knowledge, Traditional medicine",
author = "Saskia Vermeylen",
note = "The final, definitive version of this article has been published in the Journal, Applied Geography 28 (3), 2008, {\textcopyright} ELSEVIER.",
year = "2008",
month = jul,
doi = "10.1016/j.apgeog.2008.02.003",
language = "English",
volume = "28",
pages = "224--235",
journal = "Applied Geography",
issn = "0143-6228",
publisher = "Elsevier BV",
number = "3",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - From life force to slimming aid : exploring views on the commodification of traditional medicinal knowledge.

AU - Vermeylen, Saskia

N1 - The final, definitive version of this article has been published in the Journal, Applied Geography 28 (3), 2008, © ELSEVIER.

PY - 2008/7

Y1 - 2008/7

N2 - The commodification of traditional knowledge is a lively topic for academic debate, with opinions ranging from categorical rejection of this process, to views that it could be a liberating act. This debate is often characterised by generalisations and a lack of empirical engagement. This paper presents a case study of the commercialisation of traditional medicinal knowledge of the San in Southern Africa. A scenario survey in 3 communities reveals a range of different views amongst individuals and communities, much of which could be linked to differing local and historic socio-economic factors. Although the survey indicates that commodification is widely accepted, the subsequent use of a ‘life story’ approach to examine the actual commercialisation of the Hoodia (Hoodia Gordonii—a plant with appetite suppressant properties), shows that this acceptance is problematic. San informants reflect on it as a pragmatic choice informed by experiences of deprivation and economic hardship, resulting in a process which changes the cultural meaning of the plant and undermine its traditional healing power for the San themselves.

AB - The commodification of traditional knowledge is a lively topic for academic debate, with opinions ranging from categorical rejection of this process, to views that it could be a liberating act. This debate is often characterised by generalisations and a lack of empirical engagement. This paper presents a case study of the commercialisation of traditional medicinal knowledge of the San in Southern Africa. A scenario survey in 3 communities reveals a range of different views amongst individuals and communities, much of which could be linked to differing local and historic socio-economic factors. Although the survey indicates that commodification is widely accepted, the subsequent use of a ‘life story’ approach to examine the actual commercialisation of the Hoodia (Hoodia Gordonii—a plant with appetite suppressant properties), shows that this acceptance is problematic. San informants reflect on it as a pragmatic choice informed by experiences of deprivation and economic hardship, resulting in a process which changes the cultural meaning of the plant and undermine its traditional healing power for the San themselves.

KW - Benefit sharing

KW - Commodification

KW - Indigenous knowledge

KW - Traditional medicine

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=44649138578&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.apgeog.2008.02.003

DO - 10.1016/j.apgeog.2008.02.003

M3 - Journal article

VL - 28

SP - 224

EP - 235

JO - Applied Geography

JF - Applied Geography

SN - 0143-6228

IS - 3

ER -