In answer to Naomi, in an article that I recently read, a study is currently
being done in Finland where the connection with dairy products and juvenile
diabetes is being studied.  It seems that the theory is that when children
who are genetically disposed to diabetes are fed bovine products under the
age of 1 year they develop an antigen to BSA (bovine serum albumin).  They
must at some time later experience an immune response event  which triggers
the BSA antigen to attack the beta cells in the pancreas which causes them to
develop Type I diabetes.  It would seem that the combination of high dairy
consumption and a relatively isolated gene pool might contribute to Finland's
high rates.  This is a really simple and probably not an entirely accurate
description, so I am sure someone else can maybe elaborate more. But the
results of this study will be a few more years in coming, but should be
fairly conclusive as they have identified many children who have the antigen
to BSA and are watching them for the development of diabetes.  I'm sorry that
I don't have the exact reference, I gave it to my daughter for her biology
paper.  But you can find it on the internet.
Which would also be something to address the legal issue of damages.  If
formula was given to a child in the hospital, and that child was then
identified as having the BSA antigen, and then later developed diabetes,
wouldn't that prove damages?  I know that all the ducks would have to be in a
row for this, but I actually have a friend who is convinced that her son's
diabetes was caused by this exact situation.  We even joked about her being
the first lawsuit, but of course she didn't have the antigen test.   Her son
was given formula, not only without permission, but under protest from her!
Such a possibly avoidable tragedy.  When will we/they ever learn?
Happy holiday times to all,
Merilee Reeder  CLE

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