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Subject:
From:
"Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 28 Aug 2002 09:18:56 EDT
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I didn't mean to post the previous post on Labor Day/Lipil Day, which was
just a repeat of old news.  I imagine some people might have felt like we
were in the movie-"Groundhog's Day."  Instead of the day repeating itself, I
just repeated an old post.  Heck, the infant formula industry often gives me
that deja vu feeling, like a revolving advertisement.  But I imagine that we
could all skip that particular deja vu feeling...

Actually I wanted to post on the origins of the biotech company,
Martek--maker of DHA for infant formula and dietary supplements.  I think it
extremely interesting that Martek is a spinoff company from Martin Marietta.
Martek can trace its roots to NASA-sponsored research that was studying the
potential of algae as a "recycling agent for long duration space travel." In
the 80's the program was known as CELSS (Closed Environment Life Support
System) and Martin Marietta Labs experimented with microalgae as a food
supply, source of oxygen and catalyst for waste disposal for futrue
human-crewed planetary missions. see:
http://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto/spinoff1996/42.html

Of course the interesting thoughts that come to my mind are the following.
Did the company exist prior to the research on the need for DHA?  Looks like
it.  Has Martek funded any of the studies that show the need for DHA?

NASA/Martin Marietta has a "presence" in our government.  That "presence"
might explain why this little known company seems to be sitting on top of a
gold mine.  Lots of other questions but just thought that everyone might want
to know this little factoid.  Come to think of it, how do babies breastfeed
in space?  Those space suits would be a major problem, think about how
difficult it would be to discreetly nurse... Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC

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