I view this study on PBDE's in breastmilk by the Northwest Environment Watch
differently.  I see no reason to broadcast a study based on milk samples from
9 mothers.  Now if that were 1,000 or 9,000 mothers one might say this is an
important study.  Nine mothers is a small study.  So there must be another
reason why this study is important--media attention??

Human milk fat is the most variable component of human milk.  Thus samples
from one women might have enormous variations dependent on when the mother
expressed her milk.  Parity effects fat content.  First time mothers having more
fat than multiparous mothers.  Some researchers found seasonal changes in fat
content (Gambia/Prentice et al).  Thus diet seems to have an influence on fat
content.  Does this study mean that US women have higher levels of PBDE's than
European or Japanese women?  Maybe but maybe not.

I find it fascinating that this study has made sure that we all know the
benefits of breastfeeding.  Yet I see no "risks of infant formula" or even a
discussion on the environmental impact of bottlefeeding.  Heaven forbid we rock
that boat.  I guess it is only politically correct to discuss the benefits of
breastfeeding in the United States.

I would suggest that there is something wrong with this statement made by the
Northwest Environment Watch--"these contaminants diminish the benefits of
breastfeeding, they do not negate them."  From what studies did they get the
opinion that contaminants diminish the benefits of breastfeeding?  And please tell
me how helpful this is to breastfeeding promotion??? And why is the US
Breastfeeding Committee supportive of this study and its perspective??

One of the sponsors of this study is the Seattle Biotech Legacy Foundation.
This Foundation was started by employees of Immunex, a biotech company that
makes proteins in bioreactors.  I guess one might call it a "brewery" for
artificial antibodies.  One might view the man-made creation of antibodies as the
business competitor to the natural way of making antibodies--through the mammary
gland.  I have to wonder about a study sponsored by this particular biotech
company and the "need" to broadcast it.  I suppose, if one believes that human
milk is the most toxic food on earth, then we need to be prepared to utilize
artificial antibodies.  Of course maybe we should be a little concerned, since
the corporate partner of Immunex is Wyeth.
Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC

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