About this Research Topic

Background

The exploding science of human milk, lactation, breastfeeding and human milk feeding has brought us to our current understanding that we are studying a complex system operating at multiple levels: molecular, cellular, physiological, immunological, nutritional, ontological and socio-behavioral and techno-political. Modern research in this field is responding to new scientific questions and emerging policy needs that can leverage technological innovations and sophisticated multidisciplinary approaches. The International Society for the Study of Human Milk and Lactation 2022 international conference brings together professionals from research disciplines (such as anthropology, biochemistry, immunology, molecular biology, maternal and child health and nutrition, physiology, toxicology), health care professionals (such as medical doctors, nurses, midwifes, dieticians, breastfeeding consultants), policy makers and commercial entities that promote, protect and support breastfeeding.

Clinical protocols to define, prescribe and deliver best human milk feeding from “cells to society" remain weakly informed by burgeoning knowledge generated by a vast array of new biotechnologies and application of systems biology approaches. Clinical protocols to protect, promote and support best feeding of low birth weight and other vulnerable infants struggle to keep pace with new knowledge of Human Milk Feeding as a Complex System. Lacto-engineering - the creation of lifelong health through optimized exposure to human milk - involves application of systems biology frameworks to guide best practice and is at the cutting edge of best practice in this specialty. Best policy and practice is to scale up diverse, equitable and inclusive support for lactating people and breastmilk feeding infants across the entire range of clinical, physiologic and socio-economic situations.

This Research Topic will disseminate peer-reviewed knowledge of systems biology from molecular to population level specific to lactation and human milk feeding that will enhance clinical pathways, resulting in improved lactation performance, human milk feeding rate and a wide range of causally linked infant and maternal health outcomes. It will disseminate knowledge of science and case studies that will enhance confidence and ability to build better protocols to ensure diverse, equitable and inclusive support for lactating people and breastmilk feeding infants, resulting in improved lactation performance, human milk feeding rate and a wide range of causally linked infant and maternal health outcomes.

Taking place from 24th-28th October 2022, The International Society for the Study of Human Milk and Lactation 2022 international conference meeting provides a platform for the submission of manuscripts sharing latest research, reviews and commentaries on Human Milk Feeding as a Complex System, to include such themes as:

• Impacts of COVID on research, policy, practice, and populations
• New understandings of human milk composition, function, evolution and clinical/public health significance
• Innovative methodologies for equitable and rigorous breastmilk sample collection
• Breastfeeding policies, econometrics and women's rights to preterm and other vulnerable babies
• Diversity, inclusion, equity and representation in lactation research and practice
• Setting the research agendas for the future in a complex and uncertain world.


Disclosure of Conflict of Interest 

Conflict of interest (COI) regarding industry funding has the potential to undermine the credibility
of the scientific record, particularly with respect to health and nutrition, and weaken the integrity
of the scientific process. Such COI can and should be avoided. The ideal scenario is to avoid
relations with industry involved in inappropriate actions with regards to human rights, including:
the right to health, food, wellbeing, and the rights of children.

To guide selection of articles for this Research Topic, we utilize the definition of Coughlin and colleagues
(1997): ‘a conflict between the private interests and the official responsibilities of a person in a
position of trust.’ A conflict of interest thus arises when a person must play one set of interests
against another.”

We recognize that funding, whether private or public sector, does not necessarily introduce bias
into research. Nevertheless, it should be identified and declared to support the scientific method.
Thus, it is important to address either the possibility of bias and/or the perception of it, as well as
to guarantee the highest standards of professionalism, as well as a culture of transparency in
publications.

For this Research Topic we request a clear and full disclosure of all financial interests, including:
1) Source(s) of funding
2) A statement whether there was a written agreement between the funding agency and the
research team stating their freedom and obligation to attempt to publish the findings
within some specified time frame
3) Explicit description of the role of the funding agency on: a) definition of research questions
or hypothesis of the study; b) development of the methods used; c) involvement in the
data collection, analysis and interpretation of results; d) participation in development of
manuscript

References: 
Barquera S, Balderas N, Rodríguez E, Kaufer-Horwitz M, Perichart O, et al. (2020) Código Nutricia: nutrición y
conflicto de interés en la academia. Salud Publica Mex; 62:313-318. https://doi.org/10.21149/11291

Carobene MG. (2013) El conflicto de interés en la investigación científica [Conflict of interest in scientific
research]. Rev Argent Microbiol; 45(3):145-6. Spanish. doi: 10.1016/s0325-7541(13)70014-2. PMID:
24165134.

Coughlin SS, Soskolne CL, Goodman KW. (1997) Case Studies in Public Health Ethics. Washington, DC:
American Public HealthAssociation.

Rowe S, Alexander N, Clydesdale F, Applebaum R, Atkinson S et al. (2009) Funding food science and
nutrition research: financial conflicts and scientific integrity. Nutr Rev; 67(5):264-72. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-
4887.2009.00188.x. PMID: 19386030.

Keywords: systems biology, human milk, milk, lactation, breastfeeding, breast milk, early-life nutrition, infant nutrition, infant, pediatric nutrition, child health, infant feeding, biological system

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