Leptin, a human milk component derived from HMFG (human milk fat globule)
will be used to treat a variety of conditions, including obesity in this patent
application.  They will not be using a recombinant form of leptin because
according to this application the recombinant leptin has poor solubility and causes
local reactions to the skin in high doses(administered by various enteral
routes as well as parenterally).

The application is called "Administration of leptin"  application  #
20030130192 and the inventors are Susan Kirwin and Vicky Funanage.  Vicky Funanage is
the Director of the Biomed Research Department of the Nemours Foundation.  I
believe they have an earlier accepted patent on leptin at the US Patent &
Trademark Office, but this one is on the method and composition of administering
leptin.

The article Ellen directed us to on breastfeeding and obesity research states
that researchers believe that breastfeeding prevents obesity because infants
can regulate their intake.  Obviously  there are some researchers that think
it is a particular component in human milk that prevents this problem.
Whatever it is, breastfeeding/human milk has the ability to prevent obesity in
children. Maybe we could get Tommy Tompson, US Secretary of Health and Human
Resources to promote breastfeeding in his campaign against the health problem of
obesity in the USA??
Valerie W. McClain, breastfeeding advocate

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