Valerie,

I understand your concern, but the response you exerpted from was questioning
the ethics of Peter Hartman...not Medela.  Peter's research is to understand
the function of the breast...Medela is paying for it, but the knowledge of
breast function is much more important than a pump.  Medela is using his
research to try to improve their product, but Peter is not part of the pump
company itself. I consider him to be a very ethical man who is doing his part
to find what makes the breast work so there is greater understanding of the
science of lactation.  I don't think he cares about the technology of a
better pump.  That was my point, not that any company will ever be able to
duplicate a baby's suck. Just that Medela will pay for the research we will
use it to understand the lactating breast.  The pump itself means nothing to
me.  However, there are babies who cannot go to breast, there are mothers who
want desparately to have the choice of providing their milk long term as
opposed to formula and it is easier for them to that if the pump actually
works.  Yes, in the ideal world there would be no need of pumps, all babies
would be born healthy and in tact and nursing would proceed without
complications.  But, that is not the reality of our day.  And yes, I know all
about hand expression which is by far my personal choice (as in I like to
hand express, do not like to use a pump....but I am not all mothers), but
that does not mean I want pumps being manufactured that hurt mothers and do
not help with milk production.

Believe me Valerie, I understand your concerns.  I see the expression "breast
milk is best" as opposed to breastfeeding is best is part of the problem.  We
have managed to convince women on some level that their milk is good for
their babies and at least they are willing to take that step.  It's a small
step when we see babies at breast as the goal, but at least it is a step.

I can't really answer the question of what we will learn...they are studying
so many things right now at the same time, but even if at the end, all we
learn is more about how the breast functions, that will be enough for me.
However, I can tell you one of the research students wants to understand the
cause and prevention of plugged ducts and is using what she sees in the study
of MER to help her understand ductal system.  I know it is more than likely
that with all the good that knowledge brings, there will also come
interventions and medical practices that would be less desireable...don't we
see that in other branches of medicine already?  I don't know the way around
that and some would say that outcome outweighs methods.  Maybe it is a matter
of what you believe to be "good medicine".    I am one of those people who
worry about the ripples too.

Sincerely,
Pam MazzellaDiBosco, IBCLC  FL, USA

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