Researchers are patenting human milk components (a rather odd concept).They
are spending millions of dollars on the genetic engineering of these human
milk components for use in a billion dollar industry (infant formula) and for
monoclonal antibodies another billion dollar industry--not to mention its use
in treatments for cancer and various diseases.  Yet so-called intelligent
people (such as Jules Law) say,   "Where is the proof that breastfeeding is
significantly different from infant formula?"

I find that laughable.  But also a sign that our society will be continually
bombarded by information that discourages breastfeeding.  This is what I call
the social marketing of infant formula.  Propaganda at its finest.  It is
outright lies and uses feminism to justify the destruction of breastfeeding
The sole purpose is to spread doubt about breastfeeding and to encourage
women to invest their emotional, intellectual, spiritual and physical selves
in a market economy.

The reality is that breastfeeding  subverts a market-driven society.    In
our money-hungry, consumer-oriented society, everything is for sale.
Breastmilk freely given sabotages those who stand to make a profit from the
sale of its imitation.

The belief that the superiority of breastfeeding made by breastfeeding
advocates are poorly supported, is erronous.  One only need to take a look at
the patents on human milk components (synthetic/gentically engineered) and
the companies who stand to make a profit on it, to know that human milk is
the model that researchers are now using for prevention of diseases and for
treatment of diseases.  That this has not made headline news says alot about
the industries involved and  their ability to manipulate the media.  It also
says alot about a government that is investing in these industries (holding
rights to patents) and allowing these industries to thrive and grow at the
expense of infants around the world.
Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC

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