Hi Susan 
The discussion only defies logic if you have an unshakeable belief in the virtue of a free market economy.  In Australia, it is illegal to sell human body fluids or tissues.  You can't sell your blood, semen, kidneys ... or milk.  There are no 'for profit' blood or semen banks here.  People are not compensated for *donating* fluids and cannot be paid for organ donation.  This is because the risks associated with commodifying human fluids and tissues are well understood.  One of the risks is the exploitation of the weak.  There is more to consider here than just the risks associated with the contents of the fluid.  Here in the land of socialised medicine and social safety nets, commerce and health are not viewed as happy bedfellows.  Frankly, I am not convinced that the unfettered commercialisation of infant feeding has provided benefits that outweigh the risks (certainly the WHO encourages member states to regulate this market - and most states do).  Perhaps, with the right regulatory structures commerce in human milk might be made feasible.  However, I suspect human milk is more like human blood or tissue than an agricultural product - since mothers are human beings and not livestock -  and that we should treat it that way.
Matching Susan cranky for cranky, today.
Nina Berry
Australia 
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