Jan and Nikki,

It it great to be part of a debate on research and practice.  I can't
think of a more worthwhile use of our time and our Lactnet space.  I agree
with you, Jan, that in an ideal world research would be funded independent
of industry.  I know few LCs, however, who have the personal resources to
do research without at least some financial help.

I also know that more than 80% of the research currently being published
is at least partly funded by industry.  Some say that we need to be
especially vigilant in reading industry-funded research critically. I
think it is vital for us to read ALL research critically, no matter what
the funding.  It is just as possible for an independently funded study to
have serious flaws and to reflect researcher bias.  We all approach any
subject with our biases firmly intact. That's why the peer-review process
is important and research appearing in peer-reviewed journals is
considered more worthy of consideration.  The Dodd and Chalmers study was
published in JOGNN, which is a peer-reviewed journal.

Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC
Lactation Education Specialist, Hollister, Inc.


I have to respond to this comment, Nancy:

>>And although the study was "funded by Tyco," Tyco provided products and
helped defray some costs (like phone calls).  They had no influence on the
study
itself.  >>

Who can say what subtle influence this funding caused? If the costs
weren't
significant, surely it would have been better not to take Tyco's funding?

Research and ethics are important issues, funding sources alone (and there
are other issues here too) affect credibility. The 'big' journals are full
of commentaries on such ethical issues in the last year or so. (and
today's
NEJM has an article about the NIH and relationships with pharmaceutical
companies).




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