A biological research institute in the Southern Indian state of Kerala Tropical Botanical Garden and Research Instiute (TBGRI) was recently commended for its adherance to the UN Convention on Biodiversity. But, campaigners say, it may have ignored a key stipulation of the convention-that of Prior Informed Consent-when it came up with a herbal tonic made largely out of a plant whose medicianl properties are claimed by a group of local tribals. A subsequent row has thrown up important questions for developing countries.