Nancy,

No, I don't think we are in "total" agreement.

Your posts are very informative and thought provoking.  I agree with your
statement that "we tend to be biased in favor of our own prejudices."  Reliable
sources are important.  We are dependent upon evidence-based science in order
to practice to the best of our ability and for the welfare of our clients. The
problem is that our most prestigious journals are admitting to greater and
greater problems with research being a part and parcel of industry.  One journal
wrote that about 50% of articles submitted to the most prestigious journals
are ghost-written by various industries (pharmaceutical industry was an
example).  Editors have greater and greater difficulties weeding this out.

Publishing can be difficult particularly when what you write about effects
certain industries.  A well-known writer (Marc Lappe) on food/health issues had
his publisher back out of a contract because Monsanto threatened to sue the
publisher, if it was published.  The book would have made Monsanto look very
bad, and they didn't want it published.  They had the money and power to suppress
publication. (It did finally get published by another company)

As for the reliability of Lactnet, it is like anything, we will always need
to check sources that authors use for statements they make.  One should never
blindly accept what anyone writes.
Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC

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