Fermentation in Belgian Man Acquitted of Driving Under the Influence Despite Rare Medical Condition

A Belgian man with an extremely rare metabolic condition that causes his body to produce alcohol has had a drink-driving charge against him dismissed in court on Monday. The 40-year-old was able to prove that he has auto-brewery syndrome (ABS), a condition that causes carbohydrates in his stomach to be fermented, increasing ethanol levels in his blood and giving signs of intoxication.

The man had been pulled over by police in April 2022 after registering breathalyzer readings of 0.91 milligrammes of alcohol per litre and then 0.71 milligrammes a month later. Despite protesting that he had not consumed any alcohol, he had previously received a fine and a driving licence suspension in 2019 due to his condition. However, the court acknowledged factors unforeseen by law in his case and acquitted him of the charge.

According to Anse Ghesquiere, the lawyer for the man, scientists believe the number of ABS cases in the world is underestimated, and only around 20 people globally have been officially diagnosed with the condition. Ghesquiere emphasized that her client provided evidence of his ABS through tests run by three doctors, which led the court to acquit him of the charge.

The man, who was unaware of his syndrome until his encounters with the police, is now following a carbohydrate-light diet to avoid producing more alcohol in his stomach. Ghesquiere mentioned they were awaiting formal notification of the acquittal and that the prosecution service had one month to appeal if they chose to. At his initial court appearance, the prosecutor requested that he abstain from consuming any alcoholic beverages.

In conclusion, this case highlights how rare medical conditions can impact individuals’ lives and how important it is for them to receive proper diagnosis and treatment. It also raises questions about legal systems’ ability to handle such unique cases and whether they should be accommodated or punished for something they cannot control.