JoAnne, I do not have a problem with the word, "respect" in Tenet 25. The word "acknowledge" is the problem. According to the Random House Dictionary, acknowledge means in regard to the Law, " to confirm as binding or of legal force," . Thus in my opinion anyone who becomes an IBCLC is acknowledging that "all" patents are binding and of legal force. I refuse to accept patents on human milk components or gene constructs of human milk components as morally or ethically legal or binding. No one has the right to own human milk components or the gene constructs of those components. I believe that IBCLCs by accepting this tenet are accepting the legality of this kind of patenting. I see no need for this tenet and I ask those on this list who are nurses, doctors and midwives whether they have a code of ethics in which they must acknowledge intellectual property rights-particularly patenting. Thank you for clarifying the initials of the IBLCE. I can't seem to get it right no matter what I do. Sincerely, Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html