A Belgian man recently had a drink-driving charge against him dismissed in court due to a very rare metabolic condition known as auto-brewery syndrome (ABS). This condition causes his body to produce alcohol internally, leading to signs of intoxication without consuming any external alcoholic beverages.
The 40-year-old man was stopped by police in April 2022 and found to have high levels of ethanol in his blood, despite not having consumed any alcohol. Subsequent tests confirmed the presence of auto-brewery syndrome, a condition that is believed to be significantly under-diagnosed globally.
After presenting evidence of his ABS to the court, including tests conducted by three doctors, the man was acquitted of the drink-driving charge. The court recognized the unique circumstances of his case and acknowledged that factors unforeseen by law were at play, leading to the dismissal of the charges against him.
According to the man’s lawyer, Anse Ghesquiere, only around 20 people worldwide have been officially diagnosed with auto-brewery syndrome. She emphasized the need for greater awareness and understanding of this rare condition to prevent unjust legal consequences for individuals affected by it.
In order to manage his ABS, the man has been following a carbohydrate-light diet to minimize the fermentation process that leads to alcohol production in his body. Additionally, he has been advised to avoid consuming any alcoholic beverages to prevent further complications related to his condition.
The case of the Belgian man with auto-brewery syndrome sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals with rare metabolic conditions in the legal system. It underscores the importance of increased awareness and education about such conditions to prevent unjust legal implications for those affected by them.
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