>Heather, I respectfully have to disagree with you.  First, while all of you
>in the UK and other more informed persons may know that Lucas's unit is
>connected to the infant formula industry, there are many of us who didn't
>know this (myself included).


Realise that! I meant he is well-known here....sorry.

>
>I think we are so accustomed to studies being funded by the very industries
>that stand to benefit that we have come to feel an obligation to be accepting
>of this situation.  We are expected to be tolerant and read these studies.  I
>am tired of being tolerant and I'm tired of reading studies that are so
>obviously biased from the start.


Hm. It is *good* to look at the long term effects of bf, though,
isn't it? It is also  good to be critical of the methodology, the
sampling, and the conclusions as well, yes? Not *just* to say 'this
man has had money in the past from XYZ, so everything he says is
bull****'. There are many points in the methodology, the sampling and
the conclusions that are highly questionable. You don't need to
criticise the funding - just look at the study, and see the holes in
it!

>
>Are we missing a chance to really look at this study?  No way--its going to
>be shoved down our throats whether we like it or not. The media will
>broadcast it over and over again,


Not at all. My guess is it is a storm in a teacup...truly.  Is bf
really about stiffened arteries? Or do we have a more important and
subtle and challenging message to broadcast about it? I think we
do....


I have been following the reaction to this story on UK bulletin
boards and on the media - I will post to the list again about it!  I
am also doing a class tomorrow am - will monitor with interest what
these mothers and fathers to be say about the story.

HWN, UK

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