Jonathan Wright (physician)

Dr Jonathan Wright
Occupation	Doctor, naturopath
Known for	Activities in the health freedom movement, conflict with the US Food and Drug Administration

Jonathan Wright is the Medical Director of Tahoma Clinic in Renton, Washington, where he also practices medicine. He graduated from Harvard University (A.B. 1965) and went on to study at the University of Michigan, where he received his medical degree in 1969 and was a member of Phi Chi Medical Fraternity.^[1]

Background

Wright completed his residency at the Group Health Hospital in Seattle, Washington, then founded the Tahoma Clinic, which focuses on naturopathic treatments and bioenergetic analysis.^[2] Wright holds an honorary degree in naturopathy from Bastyr University.^{[citation needed]} He is also associated with the Meridian Valley Lab. Wright promotes the scientifically unsupported^{[citation needed]}practice of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and is responsible for the triple-estrogen formula triest (composed of estrone, estradiol and estriol). The formula was based on a single "most preliminary of studies" that tracked a small number of women for a short amount of time and contradicted previous research results. No follow-up studies were conducted by Wright to determine whether the formula was effective or safe.^[3] He also promotes the use of lithium that has not been FDA approved.^{[citation needed]} In tests it was found to be significantly more dangerous than prescription lithium. He promotes untested, unqualified claims through his website and speeches at his clinic.^{[citation needed]}

Associations

Wright is a board member of various organizations, such as the American Preventive Medical Association (APMA) and International College of Advanced Longevity Medicine (ICALM), and participates in multiple health care associations, including the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons and American Academy for Advancement in Medicine.

Books

Wright has written or co-authored eleven books, selling over 1.1 million copies, with two texts achieving best-selling status;^{[citation needed]} Book of Nutritional Therapy and Guide to Healing with Nutrition. Wright writes Nutrition and Healing, a monthly newsletter emphasizing nutritional medicine in medical practice.

Laboratory raid by the FDA

In 1991, the pharmacy adjacent to Wright's clinic (which sold products prepared in a laboratory co-owned by Wright, also adjacent to his clinic) was raided by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for selling L-tryptophan, a supplement that had recently been banned from marketing after contaminated supplies were associated with eosinophilia–myalgia syndrome. After several months of investigations and difficulties between Wright and the FDA, a magistrate issued warrants to search the premises of Wright's clinic and adjacent pharmacy. On May 6, 1992, FDA agents entered the premises by knocking down the door after employees refused to open it; one of the agents had a drawn gun, under the incorrect assumption that the "illegal drugs" referred to in the investigation were narcotics. Wright and his sympathizers distributed footage of the events, calling it the "Vitamin B-Bust". In August of the same year, Wright was fined $850 for court costs and fees, and ordered to destroy his supply of L-tryptophan; a grand jury declined to criminally prosecute him for violating FDA drug laws.^[4]

Public speaking

Wright also works as a lecturer, speaking on varied topics including nutritional medicine, "natural" hormone replacement therapy for men and women, the natural treatment of cardiovascular diseases, asthma, diabetes, the use of D-mannose for bladder infection, the health benefits of Vitamin D (including correct usage and laboratory testing), and many other topics.

References

1. ^ Cannon, Daniel H. (2005). Phi Chi Chronicles (Phi Chi Quarterly Office) 11 (1). 
2. ^ "Staff and Services at Dr. Wright's Tahoma Clinic". Tahoma Clinic. http://www.tahomaclinic.com/staff.shtml. Retrieved 2010-08-19. 
3. ^ Cirigliano, M. (2007). "Bioidentical hormone therapy: a review of the evidence". Journal of women's health (2002) 16 (5): 600–631. doi:10.1089/jwh.2006.0311. PMID 17627398.  edit
4. ^ Barrett, S (2009-02-20). "The American Quack Association". Quackwatch. http://www.quackwatch.org/04ConsumerEducation/Nonrecorg/aqa.html. Retrieved 2010-08-19. 

External links

• Personal website
• Interview on healthydoctors.com
• Interview at Wright's Meridian Valley Lab

Persondata
Name	Wright, Jonathan
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death