It is interesting to me that the studies done on HIV and breastfeeding
early on seemed mostly to favor continued breastfeeding.  But in the
nineties, as alot of "money" became available for research, studies
showed that formula feeding is safer.  Yes, I know that these studies
are considered more controlled, more reliable..money resolves alot of
issues doesn't it?  Or is it that mega bucks from billion dollar
pharmaceutical companies(most formula companies part of these mulitple,
international companies)changed the picture.

Many of these wonderful multi-international companies have created
foundations that all so kindly donate millions.  Take for instance the
Abbot Fund who donated $10.5 million last year to "support health and
welfare communities."(not sure who they mean)  They also give individual
gifts(employee gifts) to educational institutions.  All this information
is available to you courtesy of the internet--just look up the
companies.

Gerber is interesting in that it has merged with other companies to
become the international Novartis Group whose interests are health care,
agribusiness and nutrition.  If you go to the Novartis site you can
click onto a "Short Course in Social Marketing."  Its about: "the
design, implementation and control of programs aimed at increasing the
acceptability of a social idea or practice in one or more group of
target adopters."  In other words, they are talking about creating a
demand for an idea or product concept.  They talk about targeting the
specific group(s) and using psychological profiles(my word)to motivate
them to accept a different social idea or practice.

While most scientists think that HIV causes AIDs, there are some
respected scientists that do not believe this is so.  They also feel
that the test for HIV is far from accurate--pregnancy being one of the
60 or so conditions that can cause a false-positive.  Some of them
believe that it is the mega-pharmaceutical industry and its influence in
government, the medical community and educational institutions that is
not allowing their side to be even considered.  I would find it very
interesting to follow the trail of money(gifts, donations, grants)of the
studies that show that breastfeeding is contraindicted in a HIV positive
woman.

Does anyone have any information on what studies were used by the CDC
and the WHO to make the decision that HIV positive women should not
breastfeed in the developed countries?  Anyone have any history on these
decisions?  Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC

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