Jonathan Wright (physician)
Encyclopedia
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.
at the Group Health Hospital
in Seattle, Washington
, then founded the Tahoma Clinic, which focuses on naturopathic treatments and bioenergetic analysis
. Wright holds an honorary degree
in naturopathy from Bastyr University
. He is also associated with the Meridian Valley Lab. Wright promotes the scientifically unsupported 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. He also promotes the use of lithium that has not been FDA approved. 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.
and American Academy for Advancement in Medicine.
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 narcotic
s. 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.
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.
Renton, Washington
Renton is an Eastside edge city in King County, Washington, United States. Situated 11 miles southeast of Seattle, Washington, Renton straddles the southeast shore of Lake Washington. Founded in the 1860s, Renton became a supply town for the Newcastle coal fields...
, where he also practices medicine. He graduated from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
(A.B. 1965) and went on to study at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, where he received his medical degree in 1969 and was a member of Phi Chi Medical Fraternity.
Background
Wright completed his residencyResidency (medicine)
Residency is a stage of graduate medical training. A resident physician or resident is a person who has received a medical degree , Podiatric degree , Dental Degree and who practices...
at the Group Health Hospital
Group Health Cooperative
Group Health Cooperative, more commonly known as Group Health, is a Seattle, Washington based nonprofit healthcare organization. Established in 1947, it today provides coverage and care for about 700,000 people in Washington and Idaho and is one of the largest private employers in Washington...
in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
, then founded the Tahoma Clinic, which focuses on naturopathic treatments and bioenergetic analysis
Bioenergetic analysis
Bioenergetic Analysis is a form of body psychotherapy , based upon the work of Wilhelm Reich, but adding a number of innovations...
. Wright holds an honorary degree
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
in naturopathy from Bastyr University
Bastyr University
Bastyr University was established as the John Bastyr College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1978 in Seattle, Washington by Sheila Quinn, Joseph Pizzorno, ND, LM; William Mitchell, ND; and Les Griffith, ND, LM...
. He is also associated with the Meridian Valley Lab. Wright promotes the scientifically unsupported practice of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy , also known as bioidentical hormone therapy or natural hormone therapy, is a poorly-defined term referring to the use of hormones that are identical, on a molecular level, with endogenous hormones in hormone replacement therapy...
and is responsible for the triple-estrogen formula triest (composed of estrone
Estrone
Estrone is an estrogenic hormone secreted by the ovary as well as adipose tissue.Estrone is one of several natural estrogens, which also include estriol and estradiol...
, estradiol
Estradiol
Estradiol is a sex hormone. Estradiol is abbreviated E2 as it has 2 hydroxyl groups in its molecular structure. Estrone has 1 and estriol has 3 . Estradiol is about 10 times as potent as estrone and about 80 times as potent as estriol in its estrogenic effect...
and estriol
Estriol
Estriol is one of the three main estrogens produced by the human body.-Synthesis:Estriol is only produced in significant amounts during pregnancy as it is made by the placenta from 16-Hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone sulfate , an androgen steroid made in the fetal liver and adrenal glands.The human...
). 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. He also promotes the use of lithium that has not been FDA approved. 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.
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 SurgeonsAssociation of American Physicians and Surgeons
The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons is a politically conservative American non-profit organization founded in 1943 to "fight socialized medicine and to fight the government takeover of medicine." The group was reported to have approximately 4,000 members in 2005, and 3,000 in...
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; 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 StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Food and Drug Administration
Food and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments...
(FDA) for selling L-tryptophan
Tryptophan
Tryptophan is one of the 20 standard amino acids, as well as an essential amino acid in the human diet. It is encoded in the standard genetic code as the codon UGG...
, 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
Magistrate
A magistrate is an officer of the state; in modern usage the term usually refers to a judge or prosecutor. This was not always the case; in ancient Rome, a magistratus was one of the highest government officers and possessed both judicial and executive powers. Today, in common law systems, a...
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 narcotic
Narcotic
The term narcotic originally referred medically to any psychoactive compound with any sleep-inducing properties. In the United States of America it has since become associated with opioids, commonly morphine and heroin and their derivatives, such as hydrocodone. The term is, today, imprecisely...
s. 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
Grand jury
A grand jury is a type of jury that determines whether a criminal indictment will issue. Currently, only the United States retains grand juries, although some other common law jurisdictions formerly employed them, and most other jurisdictions employ some other type of preliminary hearing...
declined to criminally prosecute him for violating FDA drug laws.
Public speaking
Wright also works as a lecturer, speaking on varied topics including nutritional medicine, "natural" hormone replacement therapyHormone replacement therapy
Hormone replacement therapy may refer to:*Hormone replacement therapy *Hormone replacement therapy *Hormone replacement therapy *Androgen replacement therapy -See also:...
for men and women, the natural treatment of cardiovascular diseases, asthma
Asthma
Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
, diabetes, the use of D-mannose for bladder infection, the health benefits of Vitamin D
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble secosteroids. In humans, vitamin D is unique both because it functions as a prohormone and because the body can synthesize it when sun exposure is adequate ....
(including correct usage and laboratory testing), and many other topics.
External links
- Personal website
- Interview on healthydoctors.com
- Interview at Wright's Meridian Valley Lab