Magda you wrote, "Cripes, Valerie, I missed this before.  We have discussed
where formula companies might get women's milk to use the elements in it, but
*where* are
they getting infant feces?"

Well according to the patents in the USA these microorganisms are obtained
through the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC).  But the patent called,
Probiotic bifidobacterium strain # 5902743 mentions that they took 196 fecal
samples from one family.  And no I have no idea how exactly they got this
family to comply. But I believe it is their samples--particularly the
infant's samples that seem to be used.  Of course, I know this sounds all
really unbelievable but you can read it for yourself at
http://www.uspto.gov/patft/index.html
You can do a search by number and then type in the patent number 5902743 and
read the patent.  Its one of the shorter patents only about 13 printed pages.
 Bifidobacterium only resides in human intestines.  At this point they may
have gentically engineered this microorganism.  I could say a few funny
things at this point but I have decided I might offend some people.  By the
way, I have heard that Nestle denies that they have used this patent.  So I
guess it depends on whether you believe that the patents are used or not.
Frankly, I don't think a company would go to all the expense of patenting
without using it.  This patent would be particularly embarrassing if the
public knew about it, wouldn't it?  Oops...I think the public does know about
it or at least this list knows about it...Valerie W.  McClain, IBCLC

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