You know, there's something that really concerns me about this whole contaminated breastmilk issue. One of the most precious substances known to man, breastmilk, is being polluted and we as breastfeeding proponents ought to be completely outraged and ready to take organized action against companies which employ manufacturing techniques or use chemical processes that contribute to this environmental contamination. All we've done so far is defensively but accurately point out that formula is worse (as I sincerely believe based on available research). The formula companies undoubtedly benefit greatly from all the negative publicity about breastmilk. Those negative and not well thought out comments by the media are sure to make an impression in the minds of mothers who may be straddling the fence on the issue of breastfeeding or those looking for an excuse to quit when the going gets a little tough. Aren't the comments making an impression on us too? ABMs, as far as I know, aren't being tested for the contaminants that have been found in breastmilk. Yes, as mentioned here, probably ABMs contains less lipidphilic chemicals than breastmilk due to its lower fat content, but what about the other chemicals like heavy metals, growth hormones, etc.? What do you think would happen to breastfeeding rates if LLL, for example, publicly called for a boycott of paper manufacturers (major dioxin producers)? To call attention to this abomination of breastmilk contamination, could only help the "other side" and alarm people unnecessarily. What's the solution then? If we think that contamination of breastmilk and our food supply in general is a problem, as surely it is, then we should also become activists on another front, the environmental one. Joy Holtz, R.N. Wilmington, NC *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html