Hot Topics and Controversial Issues

Introduction by Dr. Matthew Marturano

The nature of my medical training and practice as a naturopathic doctor places me in contact with many people who have questions about health-related ideas and practices that are highly controversial. The golden thread which unifies these controversies is the tension that exists on the border between individual liberty and collective widsom.

While it would be foolish to attempt to arrive at a final answer regarding these hot topics, I believe that it is important that you work in partnership with medical and health care professionals who are largely on the same page as yourself with respect to these issues. I do not believe it is appropriate for health care practitioners to dictate what you should believe, or to present an incomplete set of choices due to personal bias.

First and foremost, it is imperative to understand that there is no general consensus among naturopathic doctors regarding controversial health topics. There is no "official" view, and no single individual or organization is authorized to speak on behalf of all naturopathic doctors. In consideration of this, I would strongly advise against working with a naturopathic doctor who presents their professional opinions as representative of naturopathic doctors at large.

I furthermore believe that it is neither necessary nor desirable for you to be required to make a significant investment of time and/or money in working with a particular practitioner before you know where they stand on controversial issues. With that in mind, here are some general ideas on my personal philosophy as it applies to these hot topics. Individual issues will be addressed as time permits.

Personal Sovereignty

I believe that the right of an individual to make their own determinations in health matters supercedes the interest of all third-parties. If a third-party feels that such determinations are a cause for immediate or future harm to others, the judicial system provides a means for resolving such a conflict. As such, I do not see any just cause for laws that force an individual to behave a particular way, even if their behavior could be perceived as self-harming or incredibly risky.

Personal Responsibility

With self-determination comes the duty to take personal responsibility for one's own actions. Every action involves possible risks and rewards, and there are no guarantees in life. Things do not always turn out as intended and there are always unforeseen consequences. I believe that health care practitioners, institutions, and agencies have a duty to present what they have deemed to be the best available information. However, it is entirely up to the individual to decide for themselves which course of action to take.

Personal Individuality

As every person is unique and has the right to express their individuality, so does every physical body have a special set of needs and preferences. There is no valid method of determining ahead of time what is the appropriate course of action in a given situation and "one size fits all" approaches to health and wellness are inherently small-minded.

Dr. Matthew Marturano offers naturopathic medicine for holistic health and wellness. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Association of Naturopathic Physicians and is the Director of Strategic Development for Orchid Holistic Search.