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Subject:
From:
"Valerie W. McClain" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 19 Sep 2003 04:38:46 EDT
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The founding of Rome, Italy is based on the legend of Romulus and Remus who
were raised by a wolf.  Supposedly, Rome was the site of where the she-wolf
nursed the twins.  Quizno's is an Italian sub franchise.  The legend is
fascinating and includes such events as the "Rape of the Sabine women."  Basically,
what I call a legend that has misogynist themes.

Ironically or not so ironically the NIH has a research program on mammary
gland biology that uses a picture of Romulus and Remus nursing the she-wolf.  The
first time I went to the website this picture was very prominently displayed
as well as their theme song, "Lady Madonna," a Beatle's song.  I made comments
to that on another list and it wasn't long after that that the website was
dramatically changed but their symbol still is there.  I am not sure that my
comments are what caused the changes--it might be that an administrator saw it
and realized how unprofessional it came across.  Romulus and Remus are all that
are left of someone's creativity.

Rather important that we understand why Romulus and Remus is featured at a US
government mammary gland website.  My assumption is that the US government
has an investment in making infant milks not in women breastfeeding.  The legend
of Romulus and Remus is about war, rape, and infants fed by a she-wolf.  How
telling that this is what scientists in the mammary gland biology department
of the NIH use as a symbol for their research.  If you go to the site you will
realize that this science is about genetic engineering--genes involved in
making human proteins.  So do you wish to believe that the US government is
investing in breastfeeding or might one conclude that most research dollars are
going into creating the modern day "she-wolf."
Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC

to see the she wolf nursing Romulus and Remus
http://mammary.nih.gov/
Click on "about us"  then look for symbol on far left of screen when
scrolling down

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