Hi Nancy,
I too have great respect for much of the research that has flown from UWA
and for Peter's passion for his work and determination to do the best
possible research. I owe him a great personal debt for encouraging me to
just get going with breastfeeding research (I think we two are the only
researchers in the field of breastfeeding and human lactation with an
undergraduate degree in Rural Science). However, it is the very fact that
Peter has such a fine reputation that makes his endorsement of Medela so
valuable and powerful to the company. I don't think that that there is a
comparable relationship between any commercial identity and another
researcher in the area of lactation and breastfeeding. I haven't spoken to
him about the situation- probably I should, but it would be a very difficult
conversation. There has been enormous pain for many individuals as a result
of this situation. I guess that it's a lesson for anyone who is tempted to
enter into commercial relationships with any entity that may have competing
interests with the work being carried out to ensure that you do not end up
in a situation where you cannot do without the funding and to ensure that
you do have a say over how your research is interpreted and presented in
marketing and that you do not have to be actively involved in marketing
activities (as sadly more than one member of the UWA Human Lactation
Research Group has been).
Karleen Gribble
Australia
-----Original Message-----
From: Lactation Information and Discussion
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
Sent: Sunday, 13 February 2011 5:29 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Medela marketing and UWA Research
Peter Hartmann and his associates and students and the UWA are doing
incredible research which benefits us all in our efforts to help mothers
with
evidence-based information and care. Yes, it is largely funded by Medela.
However, Dr. Hartmann has incredibly high standards and demands
intellectual
honesty of all his associates and students. Knowing him personally and
professionally, I would trust anything that came out of his lab. ( BY the
way, I also trust Dr. Schanler, much research funded by Ross, who is a
superb
researcher and just as honest.)
I agree that the Medela statements about the Calma teat go farther than the
current published research, but I have not seen the abstracts mentioned by
Dr. Fetherston. If they support the advertising claims, I would like to
see the references, even as abstracts from ISRHML, on the website. I do
not
know if Dr. Hartmann has any say in the way Medela markets its products -
I would guess not.
Nancy E. Wight MD, IBCLC, FABM, FAAP
Neonatologist
Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Newborns
Medical Director, Sharp HealthCare Lactation Services
San Diego, CA
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