Nancy,

Yes, my comment about the brightest and best was a compliment to you and to
those who have likewise made and are making significant contributions to our
breastfeeding community and are also employed by breast pump companies.

I agree that money is intrinsically neutral, but I do not believe that
businesses are neutral.  I believe that businesses are not neutral because survival
requires activism in the marketplace.  Neutrality in the marketplace would
mean death of a business, losses to stockholders, and losses of employment.

And I, like you, do not believe that just because money or businesses enter
the picture integrity is jeopardized.  I do not believe that all businesses are
inherently evil and/or corrupting.  I do believe that ethics require that we
maintain a distant relationship with breast pump companies otherwise the
lactation consultant loses her neutrality.  Loss of neutrality, whether real or
perceived by the consumer, creates a level of distrust between consumers and
professionals.  It is a barrier and I believe that we have enough barriers.

I do not believe that by distancing ourselves from breast pump companies,
that we run the risk of developing less than optimal breastfeeding products.  If
the medical profession said that they cannot distance themselves from the
infant formula industry because we would run the risk of developing less than
optimal infant formula products, would we accept that reasoning?

Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC





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