As we discuss how human milk is obtained for research, I thought I'd share
an experience in how milk can be obtained.

In 2001, I was a member of a mom-run website called Moms4Milk.org (now
defunct).  The site provided a service whereby moms could contact us,
"report" their doctor, or whoever needed to be educated about breastfeeding,
and we would write a letter on their behalf, complete with evidence-based
references.

Anyhow, we were contacted with a request, as follows:

Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2001 13:37:52 -0700
> From: "Therese Smith-Berry"
> <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>
> Dear Moms4Milk:
>
> We are a women and children's health company that is
> currently conducting a study on the protein components of
> breast milk. As part of our recruitment process, we plan to place
brochures
> about the study in physicians' offices and other places that cater to
> pregnant mothers. We would like to include your web site address on our
> brochure in the section entitled: Helpful Web Sites. May we
> include your web address on our brochure?
>
> If you would like to learn more about our company
> before giving us permission, please visit www.emergenlabs.com

*****
me again.  Educated by Valerie's posts on Lactnet, some warning bells went
off, and I contacted her to assist us with researching this company.  From
their website, we learnt:

"EmerGen is a genomics company - researching important disease genes
affecting the health of women and children.With insights made possible
through genetic discoveries, we are dedicated to finding the underlying
causes and biological pathways of diseases. EmerGen has active research
programs in the areas of maternal and fetal medicine with particular focus
on congenital heart disease, fertility, birth defects and other
developmental problems. By focusing on the developmental stages of life,
EmerGen expects to identify genes active during the formative period and
critical biological pathways that are not apparent during later stages."

Now, this does not sound like a company or organization that has any
interest whatsoever in promoting breastfeeding.  I offer the evidence above,
to show that a company may appear, or wish to appear, very helpful and
supportive of breastfeeding, without any intent whatsoever in really
supporting breastfeeding.  They were seeking Moms4milk.org's name to help
persuade moms-to-be to trust them.  Why should pregnant moms even be
thinking about donating milk to research?

Thankfully, due to Valerie's determination to bring this issue to light, we
were able to see behind their polite friendliness.  We did not give
permission for inclusion of the website address on their brochure.  I don't
know if they went ahead with this brochure, or the study.

Janice Reynolds
Nokmis, Saskatchewan, Canada

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