Alma mater University of Michigan Name Jonathan Wright | Occupation Physician Role Medical Doctor | |
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Known for Activities in the health freedom movement, conflict with the US Food and Drug Administration Education University of Michigan, Harvard University Books Natural hormone replacement, Stay Young & Sexy with Bio‑Identi, Maximize Your Vitality, Maximize Your Vitality | ||
Jonathan V. Wright (born February 7, 1945) is the founder and medical director of Tahoma Clinic in Renton, Washington, where he also practices medicine.
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Early life and education
Wright graduated from Harvard University with a bachelor of arts in 1965. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a medical degree in 1969 and was a member of Phi Chi Medical Fraternity. Wright was given an honorary degree in naturopathy from Bastyr University in 1993.
Career
Wright completed his residency at Group Health Hospital in Seattle, Washington, then founded the Tahoma Clinic, which focuses on naturopathic treatment and bioenergetic analysis. He is associated with the Meridian Valley Lab. Wright promotes the 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.
Wright was the president and co-founder of the American Quack Association in 1985 as a forum for practitioners whose ideas are rejected by mainstream medicine, to provide emotional support, promote their practices and "[poke] fun at their critics". The organization ceased operations in 1989. From 1993 to 1998 Wright also helped lead the National Health Federation, "a group whose primary goal is to abolish government regulation of health-care activities.". He currently serves as the Medical Director of the Tahoma Clinic, where he also practices medicine, except when he was suspended for 90 days
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; 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.