In a message dated 9/20/01 9:55:38 PM, [log in to unmask] writes:

<< I conclude that Mom's breastmilk will NOT "cause" her baby to have either
vitiglio or hypothyroidism.  If the baby is genetically pre-disposed to
either condition, it's a "done deal."   >>

Liz,
Maybe I am misunderstanding you, but to say that it is a "done deal" would
suggest that bf'ing might not be helpful for these conditions (or that AF
might not be harmful). Genetic expression does not depend only on the
presence of a particular gene but on the "flipping of the switch", so to
speak. The switch might be flipped in the environment of the uterus, but
otherwise, the external environment determines this. This does not mean that
we know all of the factors which influence the switching for a particular
condition, but it is almost never a "done deal".
Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA

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