I'd like to send letters to the editor asking why biotech companies have
genetically engineered human milk(human Lactoferrin hLF)to be used in
clinical nutrition, heparin neutralization, and arthritis medicines? Or why
the US Army and the NIH are funding research on Lactose synthesis in human
lactation and its role in glucose transport to the tune of $99,960.00(NIH)
and $172,754.00(US Army)?
From Pharming http://www.pharming.com/Products/specialty_products2.html
"Human Lactoferrin (hLF)
Human Lactoferrin (hLF) is a natural protein with antibiotic, probiotic,
anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulating properties. Human Lactoferrin is
present in substantial quantities in mother’s milk and plays an important
role in the defense system of the infant against a wide range of bacterial,
fungal, viral and protosoal pathogens. In addition, lactoferrin stimulates
the growth of bacteria, which protect the GI-tract from infections by
pathogenic bacteria.
Production of hLF
Taking into account the required product volumes, Pharming is using
transgenic cattle to produce hLF. The company is developing a production herd
of transgenic cows derived from one of the first generation transgenic bulls
(Max). All transgenic bulls are housed in a certified semen collection
station in Varsseveld, the Netherlands. This allows Pharming to export semen
to other countries, thus being able to generate production herds at various
locations in the world. The first offspring generated with certified semen
from Max were born in 1998. These animals are located at Pharming’s farm in
Lapinlahti, Finland, where a state-of-the-art large scale milking facility is
presently being planned. This facility will comply with all the requirements
set forth in the Points to Consider document relating to transgenic animal
based production systems, which was issued by the FDA in August 1995.
Pharming is working together with DSM Biologics in Groningen, the Netherlands
for the upscaling of the purification process of hLF.
Applications human Lactoferrin:
- Clinical nutrition
- Heparin neutralization
- Arthritis
Clinical nutrition
In the area of clinical nutrition, hLF can be used to support the treatment
of infections and inflammation of the intestine, in particular in patients
suffering from infections following chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In this
area, Pharming is collaborating with Koninklijke Numico N.V. in the
Netherlands, Europe’s top clinical nutrition manufacturer.
Pharming has been in discussion with the FDA for the purpose of obtaining a
Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) status for transgenic hLF in the USA.
European Novel Food approval will be sought in collaboration with Numico.
The results of a recent biodistribution study in human volunteers at the
University of Nottingham, UK, have been presented at the International
Lactoferrin Congress in Sapporo, Japan. These data will support the
development of hLF in the areas of clinical nutrition and other nutritional
applications.
Pharming has an ongoing collaboration with Leiden University Medical Center,
the Netherlands, aimed at studying the in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial
activity of hLF (Dr Nibbering, Department of Infectious Diseases)"
Women need to read less articles like these and more about how commercial
breastmilk is becoming. The biotech people know how good breastmilk is and
they are using that knowledge to make medicines and formula. Why do we have
patents for human milk components? Between the media, the government and the
pharmaceutical industry women are being bombarded with reasons to not
breastfeed. The reason has everything to do with the making of profits. We
need to start asking why the government has such lousy information on
breastfeeding but quietly has interests in patents on human milk components.
Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC
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