Maureen Minchin's comments are profoundly important and well worth
considering.  In 1990, I read a book on breastfeeding that changed my view of
infant feeding and that book was "Breastfeeding Matters."  After reading
Maureen's book,  I quit viewing breastfeeding as simply an "alternative
feeding style."

Twelve years later and after 2 years of looking at the patenting of human
milk components,  I feel the need to add a few comments in regard to why Ross
wants to be associated with the recent AAP book on breastfeeding.  Funding
for breastfeeding research is often paid for by the infant formula industry.
If one reads the patents on the human milk components one can only come to
the conclusion that the infant formula companies probably know a hell of alot
more about the worth of human milk than most breastfeeding advocates.  They
have "invested" heavily in imitating human milk and in owning some of its
real components.  Human milk is the gold standard.  The imperative is to
provide a substance just like it that can withstand being put into a tin can
for a few years.  Talk about a difficult quest.  Make a food that will last
for 2 years and will essentially have similiar properties to human milk.  The
truth is, it can't be done.  The infant formula industry knows this.  Why do
you think they have been patenting recombinant human milk components since
the 80's?  Why do you think Nestle and John Hopkins and Baylor have patents
on the real components of human milk?  By the way Abbott (Ross is part of
Abbott), has at least 70 some patents on recombinant human milk components.
It's called hedging your bets.  Will the infant formula industry fall like
the Tobacco Industry?  It's only a matter of time.

There is a new industry that is about to come on the scene of infant feeding.
 Yes, that new industry is human milk in the can--pasteurized and fortified.
Let's look at the company called Prolacta Bioscience with Elena Medo, CEO.
In 1996 Medo secured a contract with Abbott for $1.1 million and she also had
a John Hopkins contract.  She has filed supposedly for patents on the
creation of gammagloblin replacement made from 100% human milk products and
lactoferrin as a cure for e.coli.  In 2001, she was looking for $6 million
start up money for her company.
see:  http://www.pbwunlimited.com/elenabio.html

The company might get $6 million from Abbott or John Hopkins or both since
Medo has already established connections with these institutions.  They will
need a book supportive of breastfeeding because that's their new
business--human milk in a can.  Of course, they will also be using the human
milk for drugs and vaccines. How are they getting this human milk?  Through
their non-profit milk banking business.  Women donate their milk and Medo's
company and whoever her company partner's with make money from also selling
human milk components for meds.

I recognize this is speculation on my part but since everyone else is
speculating on a motive for Ross's purchase of this new AAP book on
breastfeeding, I thought I'd add my 2 cents worth.
Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC

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