Autism, milk link 'hidden'

[Guest guest]

Autism, milk link 'hidden'

By Claire Harvey

November 13, 2002

Previously posted to SoFlaVegans by Fidyl/thank you

 

http://news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,5477069%255E401,00.html

 

DAIRY giant Fonterra is trying to suppress explosive research linking

milk with autism in children, according to a lawsuit filed in New

Zealand's High Court.

 

All milk and dairy products sold in Australia are potentially

affected by the research, including Fonterra's top-selling brands

Mainland, Peters, Tip Top and Bega.

 

A secret internal Fonterra memo, dated October 2000, reveals the New

Zealand-based co-operative was warned by its own scientist of

research suggesting autism, schizophrenia, diabetes and heart disease

could be triggered by proteins found in all of its milk products and

infant formulas.

 

The memo, tendered in the High Court case, says there is " growing

evidence, but yet unproven, that peptides released from milk may be

related to occurrence of some mental disorders " .

 

" If the media were ever able to assemble the information shown in

this paper they could put an alarmist spin on the whole area of milk

consumption, " the internal briefing paper to directors of Fonterra,

then known as the New Zealand Dairy Board, says.

 

The research relates to a protein in A1 milk, which is the most

commonly produced milk in Australia. The protein - beta casein A1 -

is also allegedly a risk factor for childhood diabetes and coronary

heart disease.

 

The Australian and New Zealand Food Standards Authority says all milk

sold in Australia is A1 type. Its spokeswoman said it had not warned

the public because of ongoing legal action.

 

The accusations are made by A2 Corporation, a New Zealand

biotechnology company formed by dairy scientist Corran McLachlan in

2000.

 

Dr McLachlan alleges Fonterra has secretly applied for patent

applications on research linking A1 milk with autism. But Fonterra

accuses Dr McLachlan of publicity-seeking for A2 Corporation's own

milk, which does not contain the protein. Dr McLachlan plans to

launch A2 milk in the New Zealand market as early as Christmas.

" This is a public interest matter, " Dr McLachlan told The Australian.

" We believe this information is being suppressed and that is why we

are risking so much money on a High Court case. "

 

Dr McLachlan said he would be wary of feeding A1 milk to children. " I

would not encourage my kids to drink lots of milk, " he said.

 

Fonterra chief executive Craig Norgate denies any cover-up. " There is

nothing in the research that gives us concern. We would be the first

to take a responsible public stand if we felt it was warranted. "

A2 Corporation wants the court to force Fonterra to reveal all

research it has linking A1 milk to autism, and to put health warnings

on its A1 milk.

 

The Fonterra memo says University of Florida scientist Robert Cade

reported in 1999 that children with autism and schizophrenia had

extremely high levels of BCM-7, a compound produced by the digestion

of A1 milk.

 

The potential for A1 milk to trigger childhood (type 1) diabetes was

first reported by Auckland diabetes specialist Bob Elliott in 1994

and later supported by further research in 1999.

 

http://www.Christian-Vegan-Cooking

http://www.

http://www.VintageVeganTea

http://www.VeganMenus4HealthyLiving

http://www.AllNaturalSweetenerRecipes

[Guest guest]

Yes, indeed, and don't think for an instant that the same thing isn't

going on in the U.S.! The dairy industry is a *giant* with tons of

money behind it (look at the supermodels/sports stars they have as

their " milk moustache " people.)

 

Thanks for passing that along. Maybe someday the medical industry will

acknowledge it (and vaccine links) and our country's skyrocketing

autism rate will begin to subside. (I've done lots of research on this

one, and feel pretty strongly about it. It is this reason, along with

my son's intolerance, why we chose to be a dairy-free family. Why take

chances and why support the dairy industry?)

 

Stay healthy everyone! You are awesome!

 

Love,

Heidi, mom to

Cal, 5, stomach of steel, and

Jake, 3, celiac, allergic to corn, dairy, pollen, dust mites

and wife to Jeff, super dad and hubby

living healthy and happy in Massachusetts