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Subject:
From:
Keith & Charlotte Esau <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sat, 22 Jun 1996 14:08:49 -0500
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>Research into the evolutionary origin of the mammary gland suggests that
>mammary glands evolved before viviparity (life birth), and the original
>purpose of early proto-lacteal secretions was to kill microbes in the nest
>and on the surface of eggs.  Ingestion of the secretions by the young, once
>they had hatched, helped establish optimal intestinal flora in the young.
>Only later did the nutritional and immunological functions of lactation
>evolve, including the evolution of alpha-lactalbumin from lysozyme, allowing
>the synthesis of lactose.

Thanks so much for adding humor to my email reading today! I'm still
ROTFLOL over this post. Stating that the mammary gland evolved is
ludicrous at best. Has it not occurred to the "mammalian evolutionary
ecologists" that each mammal was created specifically and that while
species-specific evolution may occur to some extent, cross-species
evolution requires a giant leap of faith into an unproven area? There are
still some us out here who believe in the proven facts of a Creator, not
the unproven _theory_ of evolution for creation.

>The origins of lactation
>and the evolution of milk: A review with new hypotheses.

Note: yet more 'new hypotheses' as opposed to facts. Hmmm.

This is one good example of a time when we need to put on our 'critical
reading skills cap'. Always question anything you read whether in a
newspaper, magazine, professional journal, book, etc. Just because
someone managed to get something put in print, that doesn't automatically
make it true. Make them prove themselves with facts, studies, etc. And
use caution, because a study based on an incorrect premise will come up
with a wrong conclusion. And studies can be interpreted from many angles.
So even then we must use the brains we were created with to analyze these
facts for ourselves.

Now to tie this back into breastfeeding help When a mom calls us for
clarification of something she has read, we should try to help her use
these reading skills herself. Of course, I can say this after having had
time to think it over. If I had received that call, I'm sure I would have
had trouble not reacting with laughter. Thanks for giving me time to
formulate my response, since these 'news' stories tend to make their way
around the country (I suppose they go worldwide, as well) over time.

Still chuckling,

Charlotte Esau
LLL Leader
Olathe, KS  USA

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