Heather, I respectfully have to disagree with you.  First, while all of you
in the UK and other more informed persons may know that Lucas's unit is
connected to the infant formula industry, there are many of us who didn't
know this (myself included).

I think we are so accustomed to studies being funded by the very industries
that stand to benefit that we have come to feel an obligation to be accepting
of this situation.  We are expected to be tolerant and read these studies.  I
am tired of being tolerant and I'm tired of reading studies that are so
obviously biased from the start.

Are we missing a chance to really look at this study?  No way--its going to
be shoved down our throats whether we like it or not. The media will
broadcast it over and over again, creating continued doubt about the value of
breastfeeding.  Will our studied responses be read or brought out in the
media?  No.

I'm not hinting that we cannot believe any conclusions because of "past"
funding.  I'm saying it.  I call it "zero tolerance."

By the way, this is for Fio, Glaxo Wellcome is a pharmaceutical company that
makes most of the hiv drugs as well as other drugs.  It is heavily invested
in mAbs (monoclonal antibodies).  Many of the patents on human milk
components genetically engineered are in regard to monoclonal antibodies.
Glaxo has stated that monoclonal antibodies are a multi-billion dollar
industry.  So while Glaxo is not an infant formula industry, it does have a
reason for not really wanting to encourage breastfeeding.

Respectfully, Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC

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