Do external Links hurt e-com results?

[loganwc]

I am working on a new site for a medically inclined skin care product. Common sense tells me providing external links to valuable sites (i.e. American Diabetes Assoc) actually invites people to leave the store.
Input? Ideas?

[QuikShop]

If your outbound links are nicely tucked away on a links page then it will do your website no harm in terms of visitors leaving or SEO.

[TipPro]

I believe the type of external links you are referring to are good for credibility. You cannot purchase your products on the American Diabetes Associations Web site so you will not lose customers. Instead your Web site will look well connected within community.

[bigtoe]

Set up the links to open in a new window and no one will leave your site. Linking to authority sites is good for SEO.