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Subject:
From:
"Valerie W, McClain" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 19 Aug 2004 09:49:11 EDT
Content-Type:
text/plain
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Rachel,
I sent several emails.  One to the BOD of ILCA and one to the  BOD of the
IBCLE.  The one to the BOD of the IBCLE was queued and deleted.  Several people
have sent me the email address in which I could write of my concerns to the
IBCLE.  I have done so.

Rachel, I find myself looking at this "loophole" rather differently than you
do.  I have been writing about the patenting of human milk components since
1999.  I believe I am the first person in the IBCLC profession to do so.  I have
received various responses from people:   disbelief, anger,  belief,
confusion, concern, and no response.

There are over 1000 human milk component patents and applications.  No
breastfeeding advocacy organization (that I know of-since I am not directly involved
in any organization) has touched this issue other than "Another Look" which
published to their website my position paper on it.  In fact, my abstract
proposal on this issue to the ILCA Conference of 2004 was turned down.  I asked for
a reason for this refusal and have never gotten a response.  I have spoken at
the past two Florida LLL Conferences and was told that my topic (Breastmilk
as Big Business) was rather controversial and some people felt not relevant to
LLL leaders.  I haven't been asked this year, hm....I guess I shouldn't wonder
why.

Now, in August of 2004, we have a tenet by the IBCLE about "intellectual
property rights." What other health care professionals have codes of ethics on
this issue?  Where is this coming from?  Who proposed this?  At the end of the
IBCLICK article, it states "consider having a speaker on this topic."  Well, it
sure isn't going to me, is it?

Obviously from this new tenet, the profession feels this is an important
issue. Who will speak on it?  And if our professionand breastfeeding organizations
are only willing to allow one perspective, will we be able to make
intelligent decisions.  I respect our organizations and respect their decisions.  But I
believe quite strongly that if we close the door on alternative viewpoints, we
are bound to make mistakes that may seriously jeopardize breastfeeding
advocacy.
Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC

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