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Sun, 29 Jan 2006 12:09:11 -0500 |
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HMBANA milk banks charge a processing fee to offset the costs of
pasteurization and shipping, BUT no mother is refused milk because she
is unable to pay. Low income infants with medical need receive free service.
The difference between the Prolacta model and the HMBANA model as far as
I can see is that Prolacta sells the processed milk at a profit, and
HMBANA banks ask for cost sharing. Therefore, the ultimate cost for the
consumer has to be much higher for Prolacta's milk.
My concern for the Prolacta model is that donors might not understand
that their freely given milk is becoming someone's profit generating
product. There seems to be a relatively small pool of potential milk
donors, and it would be a shame if the HMBANA banks, which serve mothers
who are unable to pay as well, were to lose donors because of Prolacta's
greater resources.
I don't begrudge anyone the ability to make an honest living, but I do
think that these factors need to be very up-front in all discussions
with potential donors.
Sandy, You say you help new mothers succeed at breastfeeding. What
services do you provide? How are mothers referred to you? Are you
setting up an unfair sense of obligation in your potential donors by
giving this help? Have you taken the Federal government's certification
on the treatment of human research subjects? I think that the ethics of
human research applies to your business model (though you are not doing
research), and that you might want to look into it, especially the parts
about ensuring that subjects/donors are not under duress to participate.
Even positive feelings of gratefulness can constitute duress.
I'm hope you read this in the spirit that it is written, with highest
concern for mothers and babies. Thank you for being so willing to
discuss these matters with the lactation community.
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC NYC
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