sale of ( human) raw milk unregulated

[Guest guest]

Breast milk sold on Web isn't safe

Canadians warned not to buy human milk because it may be contaminated

Carly Weeks OTTAWA

Health Canada is warning Canadians against buying human milk over the

Internet or from individuals because it may contain HIV and pose

other health risks.The notice coincides with the opening of an art

exhibit on Thursday that invites passersby to drink the milk of six

lactating mothers. The one-day show, called the Lactation Station

Breast Milk Bar, will be held at the Ontario College of Art and

Design Professional Gallery in Toronto.

Although the artist has said she screened participants beforehand,

the exhibit was enough to spur Health Canada into issuing a national

warning.It's an issue the government has been following for some

time, particularly related to the growing online sale of human

milk. " It's rather prevalent on the Internet. It's not hard to find, "

said Health Canada spokesman .

People may want to purchase breast milk on line or from others if

they can't produce it themselves.Breast milk is recognized as one of

the best sources of essential vitamins and a beneficial way to pass

on valuable nutrients to infants.People who don't have access to it

themselves are sometimes willing to pay for it.But Health Canada also

noted some adults may be purchasing human milk for their own

consumption.

The immunological properties of human breast milk are said by some to

benefit adults as well as infants.There are numerous websites

dedicated to selling breast milk to interested buyers.The major

problem with purchasing human milk online or from individuals is that

little if any medical information is known about the milk's donor.

That means it could be laced with numerous viruses and bacteria,

including HIV and the bacteria that causes food poisoning. Traces of

prescription and non-prescription drugs can also be transmitted

through breast milk from humans.Another problem is that poor hygiene,

improper storage and handling can also contaminate the milk and make

people sick without their knowledge. Despite this, it's legal to

sell human milk to others in Canada.

CanWest News Service-----------------------------------

My comments : I don't post this stuff because I like what's going

on. Commodification of human parts + materials gives me the creeps.

But these incidents do overlap with moral / regulatory issues of REAL

MILK.