John A. Wise

John A. Wise, PhD (1939-2011), was an American scientist and writer in the field of nutrition. He was honored in 2010 with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Council for Responsible Nutrition, an industry association dedicated to responsible business practices in the nutrition industry. He retired in 2010 as the Chief Science Officer for Natural Alternatives International, a global nutrional products manufacturer based in San Diego, California USA. Earlier in his career, he was the Vice-president of Research and Development for United Sciences of America, Inc. (USAI) until 1986. USAI was a multi-level marketing company in Dallas, Texas which went bankrupt after controversial marketing practices were revealed. As the company's Science officer, Wise was not normally involved in the company's business practices.

Contents

Biography

Wise graduated with a B.S. in Preventative Medicine and a B.A. in Zoology from the University of Washington in 1963, as well as an M.S. in Microbiology from the University of Minnesota in 1967. He received his Ph.D. in Microbiology from Oregon State University in 1970.[1]

United Sciences of America

From 1982 to 1986, Wise was Executive Vice President of Research and Development for the nutritional supplement company United Sciences of America, Inc. (USAI)[2] and was responsible for formulating the company's products.[3] In October 1986, USAI was the subject of an expose produced by NBC, which revealed the company’s use of fraudulent scientific claims and deceptive advertising.[4][5] The FDA subsequently investigated USAI for pyramid-scheming, the use of false and misleading promotional materials, and for making prohibited disease treatment claims. Attorneys General in California, New York and Texas simultaneously filed lawsuits ordering USAI to change its marketing plan and sales claims. In response, USAI filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations in 1987. USAI’s deceptive sales and marketing tactics were reviewed in several articles published in 1986-1987. As Wise was primarily focused on scientific and research matters during his tenure, he was not among those faulted for the company's business woes. [6][7][8][9][10]

Natural Alternatives International

In 1987, Dr. Wise joined Natural Alternatives International (NAI) as the Director of Science and Technology.[2] He was appointed Vice President of Research and Development in 1992 and served as Chief Scientific Officer from 2002 until June 2007, at which time he retired as an officer, being retained by the company as a consultant. As Chief Scientific Officer, Wise was paid an annual salary in excess of $200,000.[11] and as a counsultant to NAI, he received compensation of $10,000 monthly.[12][13] In mid-2006, shortly before the termination of his employment agreement with NAI, Wise owned 2.32% (182,340 shares) of the company’s common stock.[14] NAI manufactures a nutritional supplement known as Juice Plus+ for National Safety Associates. Several of the research articles published on Juice Plus were co-authored by Wise.[15][16][17][18][19] Some of them received criticism as being poorly designed.[20][21][22]

References

  1. ^ "Executive Profile: John A. Wise, PhD". Businessweek. 2011. http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=290620&ticker=NAII:US. Retrieved 2011-05-30. 
  2. ^ a b "Natural Alternatives International Inc: DEF 14A (1/8/01) [SEC File 0-15701; Accession Number 1095811-0-4161"]. SEC Info. http://www.secinfo.com/d11e4c.542e.htm. Retrieved 2007-08-21. 
  3. ^ Waters, Craig R. (Feb 1, 1986). "Big Plans. United Sciences of America sets out to harness the power of multilevel marketing". Inc Magazine. http://www.inc.com/magazine/19860201/8118_pagen_1.html. Retrieved 2011-05-30. 
  4. ^ Barrett, Stephen. "The Rise and Fall of United Sciences of America". MLM Watch. http://www.mlmwatch.org/04C/USA/usa.html. Retrieved 2007-07-27. 
  5. ^ Farley, Dixie (1987). "The eyes of Texas were upon them - and FDA - United Sciences of America Inc". FDA Consumer (October). http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1370/is_v21/ai_5273121/pg_1. 
  6. ^ Stare, F.J.; . (1986). "Marketing a nutritional "revolutionary breakthrough". Trading on names.". N Engl J Med 315 (15): 971–3. doi:10.1056/NEJM198610093151518. PMID 3762604. 
  7. ^ Young, E.A.; Schenker, S., Weser, E. (1987). "United Sciences of America, Incorporated: an "optimal" diet?". Ann Intern Med. 107 (1): 101–3. PMID 3592422. 
  8. ^ Renner, J.H. (1986). "Science or scam?". N Engl J Med 315 (15): 971. doi:10.1056/NEJM198610093151517. PMID 3762603. 
  9. ^ Holden, C. (1986). "Scientists get flak over marketing plan". Science 234 (4780): 1063–4. doi:10.1126/science.3775374. PMID 3775374. 
  10. ^ "USA: The strange rise and fall of one MLM". Money (June 1). 1987. http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/moneymag_archive/1987/06/01/83881/index.htm. 
  11. ^ "FORM 14-A: Natural Alternatives International, Inc". edgar-online.com. http://yahoo.brand.edgar-online.com/displayfilinginfo.aspx?FilingID=5498497-996-180582&type=sect&TabIndex=2&companyid=3762&ppu=%252fdefault.aspx%253fcik%253d787253. Retrieved 2011-05-30. 
  12. ^ "FORM 8-K: Natural Alternatives International, Inc". edgar-online. http://yahoo.brand.edgar-online.com/displayfilinginfo.aspx?FilingID=5289171-1021-8597&type=sect&TabIndex=2&companyid=3762&ppu=%252fdefault.aspx%253fcik%253d787253. Retrieved 2011-05-30. 
  13. ^ "Natural Alternatives International, Inc. Announces Retirement of Chief Scientific Officer and Repurchase of 100,000 Shares from Founder". highbeam.com. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-166084086.html. Retrieved 2011-05-30. 
  14. ^ "Natural Alternatives International, Inc: Form 14A". edgar-online.com. http://yahoo.brand.edgar-online.com/displayfilinginfo.aspx?FilingID=4721636-996-100412&type=sect&TabIndex=2&companyid=3762&ppu=%252fdefault.aspx%253fcik%253d787253. Retrieved 2011-05-30. 
  15. ^ Plotnick, Gary; Corretti MC, Vogel RA, Hesslink, Jr. R, Wise JA. (2003). "Effect of supplemental phytonutrients on impairment of the flow-mediated brachial artery vasoactivity after a single high-fat meal" (pdf). J Am Coll Cardiol 41 (10): 1744-9.
  16. ^ Kiefer I, Prock P, Lawrence C, Wise J, Bieger W, Bayer P, Rathmanner T, Kunze M, Rieder A (2004). "Supplementation with mixed fruit and vegetable juice concentrates increased serum antioxidants and folate in healthy adults" (pdf). J Am Coll Nutr 23 (3): 205–11. PMID 15190044. http://www.jacn.org/cgi/reprint/23/3/205.pdf. 
  17. ^ Smith MJ, Inserra PF, Watson RR, Wise JA, O'Neill KL (1999). "Supplementation with fruit and vegetable extracts may decrease DNA damage in the peripheral lymphocytes of an elderly population". Nutr Res 19 (10): 1507–18. doi:10.1016/S0271-5317(99)00107-4. 
  18. ^ Inserra PF, Jiang S, Solkoff D, Lee J, Zhang Z, Xu M, Hesslink R, Wise J, Watson RR (1999). "Immune function in elderly smokers and nonsmokers improves during supplementation with fruit and vegetable extracts". Integr Med 2 (1): 3–10. doi:10.1016/S1096-2190(99)00010-4. 
  19. ^ Wise JA, Morin RJ, Sanderson R, Blum K (1996). "Changes in plasma carotenoid, alpha-tocopherol, and lipid peroxide levels in response to supplementation with concentrated fruit and vegetable extracts: A pilot study". Curr Ther Res 57 (6): 445–61. doi:10.1016/S0011-393X(96)80053-1. 
  20. ^ Stanton R (January 2010). "Nutrition: who can you believe?". The Skeptic 20 (4): 23–7. http://www.skeptics.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/theskeptic/2000/4.pdf. 
  21. ^ "Juice Plus+". Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/11571.cfm?RecordID=637&tab=HC. Retrieved 2006-10-15. 
  22. ^ Goodwin, Kathy. "Dietary supplements: facts about Juice Plus". The Diet Channel. http://www.thedietchannel.com/Dietary-Supplements-Facts-About-Juice-Plus.htm. Retrieved 2006-10-15. 

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