No fooling new DNA test on smoking, alcohol
"People lie like rugs," said Dr.
His company, started in 2009, can use DNA extracted from a drop of blood to tell not just whether a person smokes or drinks, but how many cigarettes a day he smokes or how many servings of alcohol she drinks.
The technology has applications for health care professionals trying to understand patients' needs, said Philibert, a UI professor of psychiatry and biomedical engineering.
"People want to be seen favorably by their physicians," he said. "But if we don't know (about addiction), we can't treat it."
A lawyer might use this test to show his client isn't a heavy drinker, as claimed by a spouse as part of a child custody case, Philibert said. Someone convicted of drunken driving could take the test once immediately after arrest and again a year later to show improvement, he said.
Insurers could raise premium costs or decide not to offer life insurance based on a person's tobacco use.
The tests from
Breathalyzer tests measure blood alcohol content at the time of the test and blood tests can show the presence of nicotine, alcohol or other drugs circulating through the blood stream.
"The more you drink, the more you change," Philibert said. "If a person is getting to .08 (blood-alcohol level) a couple of times a week, we're going to see that."
It's also harder for people to cheat on the
"In a light smoker, we'll see the signature disappear in about a year," Philibert said. "With heavy smokers, it can take many years."
Using genetic testing for insurance purposes raises ethical concerns for people who worry patients could be screened out because of their DNA.
Still, ethical questions may arise.
Heavy drinkers or smokers likely are going to have more health problems associated with their habit. But if they can't get affordable health insurance they may skip health care and face worse outcomes or use more expensive emergency care.
"I'm interested in making sure these (tests) are used beneficently," Philibert said. Because he owns the patents for the tests, he said he and his partners can control how they are used.
He has hired a medical ethicist to help with those decisions, he said.
Much of Philibert's research has been done with federal grants. In 2016, the company received
The company's plans include tests that can use saliva instead of blood and smoking cessation treatment with artificial intelligence.
l Comments: (319) 339-3157; [email protected]
___
(c)2018 The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
Visit The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) at thegazette.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
JSU may have to deal with new state law in rebuilding plans
Gubernatorial hopeful Sen. Nate Boulton touts plan to end private managed care
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News