>Unfortunately, we can't trust what women have done for each other for
centuries anymore. We can't nurse each others' babies casually. Now we have
deadly viruses that did not exist, which can be transmitted through human
milk.<

I am not advocating that we dismiss this 'threat' but -- stop one minute.
Think about the equivocal and contested nature of the evidence on the
transmission of at least one virus.  If you can disassociate for a moment
whether its 'true' or not, in whose interest is it that we have the debate
conducted in this deeply emotionally wrenching way????  In whose interest is
it that breastfeeding is presumed guilty and needs to prove its innocence?
Who is making money -- and gaining acceptance for its products --  out of
our well meaning response to this?  Who else is making political capital,
and using this in the grand game of international politics?  Do we want to
just sing the role in the chorus written for us on the hymn sheets of
industry?

And incidentally, the fear of transmission -- syphillus, or bad character
traits, alcohol, sexual excitement (see Fildes for a round-up) have been
used as arguments for stopping wet nursing/swap nursing at least since
Soranus and early Roman & Greek writers.  I know that the law code of
Hammurabi had legislation on wet nurses -- can't remember what it is
specifically. In that sense, HIV et al are merely the modern equivalents of
an ancient tradition.  Again -- there is a sense in which things can be
scientifically 'true' (the virus may be passed through breastfeeding) and a
different way in which such things are used to control human behaviour and
thought patterns.

Lastly, I would suggest that Michael Moore's contention that American
society is shaped, structured and controlled by fear -- fear manipulated in
the interests of some -- is very relevant to our understanding of how we
might approach the whole transmission debate.  I think the use of the word
'trust' (above) and the decision that we have to cease to trust, are very
indicative.

If  we could reframe the way in which we approach this, we might actually
not only see better how to inform women about transmission and cross
nursing, but also actually be doing 'better science'.  But the whole issue
is so framed by our cultural understandings that that may not be possible.

Magda Sachs
Breastfeeding Supporter, BfN, UK

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