Technology is of course important in natural products research. But I would argue that nature is even more important. More than 80% of the biodiversity found in terrestrial and marine organisms, fungi, bacteria, plants and animals has yet to be described by modern science. Global collaboration is the only way that the world (both rich and poor) can fully benefit from Earth's vast treasure trove of natural products, traditional knowledge and scientific research. Given the growing environmental stress being experienced by our planet in terms of loss of habitat and biodiversity, there is not a minute to lose.

(Iqbal Choudhary, 2002)