This article is about human milk researcher, Svanborg, and the use of the
human milk component, alpha-lactalbumin (HAMLET), to kill viruses (human
papilloma virus specifically).  Svanborg says in the article that if HAMLET proves
useful, the compound will be synthesized in the lab (genetically engineered is
probably what the researcher means) not extracted from breast milk.

There are patents on this particular human milk component, as well as others,
close to 1000 (about 800 patents and around 200 pending) in the US patent
office. At what point will we realize that telling a mother she should not
breastfeed (as in the case of hiv/aids) means that one is denying to an infant a
food that is a natural medicine.  While to many in our community this
pharmaceutical use of human milk component is a wonderful event and confirms the
"benefits" of breastfeeding.  Yet,  I have seen for the past 4 years that this
pharming is creating a bigger reason to create public doubt about breastfeeding.

Women have their very own molecular bioreactors[mammary glands] to keep their
infants healthy (healthy into adulthood).  Our private ownership of this
medicinal substance is a  threat to the pharmaceutical industry.  We truly have
the "magic bullets" that molecular scientists have been trying to create in
their labs.
Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC

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