In an unprecedented court case, a Belgian man was acquitted of drink-driving charges after proving that he suffers from a rare metabolic condition known as auto-brewery syndrome. This condition causes the body to produce alcohol endogenously, leading to symptoms resembling alcohol intoxication such as staggering gait, slurred speech, and confusion.
The 40-year-old defendant, whose name was withheld in accordance with local judicial custom, was initially fined by police in 2019 and again in April 2022 when a breath analyzer detected an alcohol level of 0.91mg per liter, significantly exceeding the legal limit of 0.22 mg per liter. However, subsequent medical examinations confirmed his diagnosis of auto-brewery syndrome.
Anse Ghesquiere, the defendant’s lawyer, highlighted the unfortunate coincidence that her client works at a brewery. Despite this, three independent medical experts corroborated his condition. The judge presiding over the case emphasized that the defendant did not exhibit any signs of intoxication at the time of his arrest.
Lisa Florin, a clinical biologist at the Belgian hospital AZ Sint-Lucas, explained that individuals with auto-brewery syndrome produce the same type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages but may experience reduced effects. Moreover, she noted that this condition is not congenital but can develop as a result of other intestinal ailments.
This case underscores the complexities of medical conditions that can mimic the effects of alcohol consumption. As scientific understanding of such conditions advances, it becomes increasingly crucial for legal systems to consider their implications in DUI cases.
