Chemical & Engineering News Digital Edition ... - IMM@BUCT

LETTERS
also audit the duties of the MRO. The Fitness
for Duty program was carried out in
compliance with federal law.
My experience along these lines showed
that testing at laboratories for nuclear personnel
was rigidly controlled. The laboratory
would take every possible precaution
to see that a drug user would not get past
the controls set up by the laboratory.
An abuser will try any means to beat
the system, but again, my experience has
shown that the laboratories took every precaution
they could to avoid this.
William Gasser
Quincy, Ill.
BENEFITS OF BREAST MILK
I WAS SURPRISED and delighted to see
the beautiful photograph of a nursing baby
on the cover of your Sept. 29 issue. This is
especially impressive because I still recall
the first controversial breast-feeding photographs
on the cover of magazines about
parenting just a few years ago. As a nursing
mother myself, I was further delighted to
read the insightful and educational cover
story.
I not only learned more facts to support
my gut feeling that “breast is best,” but I
was able to proudly show the issue to my
La Leche League support group, so they
will see the cutting-edge scientific studies
as well. I am an active member of my ACS
local section, and one of my challenges as
a councilor and National Chemistry Week
coordinator has been to involve younger
chemists. This article, which specifically
applies to our younger members who
are now growing their families, is a great
step toward reaching out to this elusive
population of our membership. Kudos to
C&EN!
Abby Kennedy
Oakland, Calif.
I TYPICALLY GLANCE quickly at the cover
picture when I get my new issue of C&EN,
but I admit that rarely does it entice me to
immediately read the related story. This
was not the case with your issue featuring
the science of breast milk. Although you
may be getting notes from readers who find
your photo distasteful or worse, I applaud
you for being willing to boldly feature a
photo that tactfully and beautifully highlights
what is literally one of the most natural
things known to humanity.
As a mother of a beautiful seven-monthold
daughter, I read all the books, took the
prenatal classes, and easily reached the
conclusion that nothing could be better
for my child than the food that I could
provide for her. Science may never be able
to equal the complex advantages of true
mother’s milk (not only providing basic
nutrients but also passing on antibodies
to a child’s developing immune system,
as well as accustoming children to some
chemical components of an adult diet).
Nevertheless, I am happy to hear that
research is ongoing to better understand
how breast milk is able to give so many
benefits both immediately and later in a
child’s life.
Many mothers are unable to provide
milk (or enough milk) to their babies, and
this understanding could be critical in allowing
these children to receive the best
nutritional balance possible. I wonder also
if such research has been conducted on
colostrum, the “pre-milk” substance produced
by new mothers in the first few days
after birth before the actual milk “comes
in.” Colostrum is known to be highly beneficial
to newborns and especially preemies,
so any way to synthetically emulate this for
mothers who are medically unable to provide
it themselves could prove extremely
useful.
Thank you so much for featuring this issue
in such a positive manner. Society has
come a long way in its acceptance of breastfeeding,
but there are still many who shun
this wonderful act and do not understand
its benefits. I hope that your story makes a
few people reconsider such opinions.
Leanna Shuster
Havertown, Pa.
AS AN ACS MEMBER and a lifelong professional
in the field of milk and lactation, I
was delighted to find and read your article
on mother’s milk. An important part of the
story seems to be missing, however.
In contrast to your rather nebulous
characterization of the fat globule surface,
it is known to be covered with projecting
filaments—like whiskers, if you will. This
was shown by the elegant freeze-etch elec-
WWW.CEN-ONLINE.ORG 6 NOVEMBER 3, 2008