HMBANA milk banks charge a processing fee to offset the costs of 
pasteurization and shipping, BUT no mother is refused milk because she 
is unable to pay. Low income infants with medical need receive free service.

The difference between the Prolacta model and the HMBANA model as far as 
I can see is that Prolacta sells the processed milk at a profit, and 
HMBANA banks ask for cost sharing. Therefore, the ultimate cost for the 
consumer has to be much higher for Prolacta's milk.

My concern for the Prolacta model is that donors might not understand 
that their freely given milk is becoming someone's profit generating 
product. There seems to be a relatively small pool of potential milk 
donors, and it would be a shame if the HMBANA banks, which serve mothers 
who are unable to pay as well, were to lose donors because of Prolacta's 
greater resources.

I don't begrudge anyone the ability to make an honest living, but I do 
think that these factors need to be very up-front in all discussions 
with potential donors.

Sandy, You say you help new mothers succeed at breastfeeding. What 
services do you provide? How are mothers referred to you? Are you 
setting up an unfair sense of obligation in your potential donors by 
giving this help? Have you taken the Federal government's certification 
on the treatment of human research subjects? I think that the ethics of 
human research applies to your business model (though you are not doing 
research), and that you might want to look into it, especially the parts 
about ensuring that subjects/donors are not under duress to participate. 
Even positive feelings of gratefulness can constitute duress.

I'm hope you read this in the spirit that it is written, with highest 
concern for mothers and babies. Thank you for being so willing to 
discuss these matters with the lactation community.
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  NYC

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