Valerie makes a valid point:
<<I disagree quite strongly that the pharmaceutical industry has nothing
to do with breastfeeding generally.  Human milk components are being
patented and synthetically-made (genetically engineered) by various
biotech and/or pharmaceutical companies  Mammary epithelial cells (which
are in human milk) are considered totipotent stem cells.  Human
lactoferrin is used in numerous test kits for such things as detecting
cancers (breast, prostate,etc) and for use in hiv/aids to detect immune
status.  We have close to 1000 human milk component patents.  I believe
we are burying our heads in the sand, if we believe that the
pharmaceutical industry has no "interest" in breastfeeding.>>
However, I think we could Weissingerize this and see this as validation
of how wonderful human breast milk really is!  They have done us a
service if they have researched these components and proved their unique
benefit!  Obviously, they are not doing this to help the cause of
breastfeeding but that doesn't negate the value of their work if we can
turn around and use it to our benefit.  I'm not trying to defend all of
these companies.  I'm sure there will be some tug-of-war-ing in the
future over this.  But just like pump companies could have been seen as
undermining breastfeeding when they were originally doing research
because pumping displaces breastfeeding, yet we have benefited greatly
from this technology when used judiciously.  Obviously, the companies
are in business to make money and the technology can be overused.
Still, we can benefit from them.
I am impressed to read the list Valerie posts of ways that human
lactoferrin is being used!  Who knew?!  Well, we did...!  Wonderful
validation!!!
Marsha



~~~~~~Marsha Glass RN, IBCLC, RLC.~~~~Legacy Lactation Support
Services~~~~~
Mothers have as powerful an influence over the welfare of future
generations as all other earthly causes combined.~~~~~~~~~~John S. C.
Abbot~~~~~~~~~~~~~





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