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Subject:
From:
"Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 23 Jun 2000 05:47:27 EDT
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In 1993 an applicant for a US patent tried to establish monopoly ownership
over the genome of a living person.  This was for the cell line of a 26-year
old Guaymi Indian woman from Panama.  The Guaymi found out about it and
demanded that the US withdraw its patent claim and return the cell line to
the tribe.  This was from an article
http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/GE%20Essays/DNA%20Race.htm

My concern is the patenting of human milk components and research presently
being done in regard to the components in human breastmilk.  This research is
not about promoting breastfeeding.  Its about duplicating the real thing and
making a profit.  Frankly, I  cannot understand how one can patent human milk
components.  Why it is allowed?  But since the US Patent Office allows it, I
think that women donating their milk ought to have some kind of assurance
that their samples are not being used to further some formula companies
profit.  For example, the studies that have been done about the fatty acids
in human milk are used to market the new oils in formula.  One can applaud a
higher level of understanding about human milk. But if those studies are
being used to ultimately sabotage breastfeeding, then maybe breastfeeding
advocates need to bring about ways to prevent this situation.  Why should
some researchers benefit financially from what some women give freely?
Valerie  W. McClain, IBCLC

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