>"Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC" wrote:
>I believe that instead of testing human milk, we should be testing semen for
>contamination.  It's easily available (the so-called reasoning for testing
>human milk) and would help parents decide if they really want to have
>children or not.  Breastmilk should not be the vehicle in which we create
>fears about environmental issues.    Parents need to know that the issue
>isn't about breastfeeding, its about a severely contaminated world.

What sort of contaminants would you suggest be tested for in semen? There
may be some value in doing it, but it would not be a substitute for testing
breastmilk. Substances such as PCBs, DDT (and its metabolites), and an
array of persistant organic pollutants are lipophilic substances, meaning
that they are "fat-loving" and will not be found in any great quantity in
non-fatty tissues and fluids. If I recall correctly, semen does not have a
high fat content; the fluid acts as a buffer and energy source (sugars) for
the sperm. Consequently, several of the especially worrisome chemicals
aren't going to be found in it.

At any rate, I agree about the concern breastmilk testing creates about
breastmilk safety and I know that's a huge concern among the researchers.

regards,
Julia

Julia R. Barrett
Freelance Science Writer
Madison, Wisconsin
608-238-8409; [log in to unmask]

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