Research presentation

The breath test, specifically the hydrogen breath test, is already being used in clinical settings. The test is especially depended upon when diagnosing three main conditions. The first condition is lactose intolerance or whether the dietary sugars are being normally digested. In most cases, the sugar that is often digested incorrectly is lactose or the milk found in sugars (Wang et.al., 2018). The test may also diagnose problems with the digestion of other sugars like fructose, sorbitol and sucrose. The second condition that the hydrogen breath test diagnoses is the overgrowth of bacteria in the small bowel, a condition where the bigger-than-normal numbers of colonic bacteria exist in the small intestines (Wang et.al., 2018). The third condition is the rapid passage of food through the small intestine. In all these conditions, there may be symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence and abdominal bloating (Wang et.al., 2018).

The primary purpose of the hydrogen breath test it is to diagnosis the presence of sugar intelligence, while also for checking for bacterial overgrowth in the small intestines. The test is intended not for the general population but rather for those at risk groups. The other potential stakeholders involved in the hydrogen breath testare insurance companies, healthcare providers, and family members (Dede et. al., 2015). Insurance companies are an important aspect since they are involved in reimbursing the services offered by the healthcare providers. On the other hand, the healthcare providers are mandated with having the right equipment to conduct the required tests and to ensure that patients receive the right diagnoses. Lastly, the family should be supportive of their loved ones. For example, in the event that a patient is labelled as being lactose-intolerant, family members should care to ensure that the patients eat foods that do not trigger their lactose levels (Dede et. al., 2015). Comment by Lisa Schwartz: ??? is this the correct word here

There are multiple benefits of the breath tests. One, the breath tests are noninvasive and cheaper compared to the endoscopic tissue sampling in diagnosing. Two, the hydrogen breath tests are important as they help in detecting whether sugar has been mal-absorbed in the body to help craft effective dietary strategies (Dede et. al., 2015). Three, the technology serves to counter the dire effects of any diseases affecting the respiratory outlet (Dede et. al., 2015). Comment by Lisa Schwartz: Should it be plural ‘tests’ or a single test? Comment by Lisa Schwartz: Any? Are you sure there aren’t some that may not be detected with the hydrogen breath test?

There are a few potential ethical issues that may arise due to the use of the breath test technology. The first ethical concern is on productivity and safety. Studies in the past have shown that in the event that breath tests are used to check for the alcohol level there tends to be high absenteeism levels, and also it is likely to result in reduced productivity levels. Two, breath test raise concerns on employer liability where the tests make the employees to be held more responsible for their actions (Ezaki, et. al., 2020). Three, is on public safety where the tests have been found to enhance the safety of the general public. In this case, the safety of the general public is seen to be a priority and for this reason these tests are protected by the state. Four, is the issue on deterrence where for the general good of the public, conducting of tests is important especially on a random basis as this will ensure that in the event that the breath tests to test for alcohol levels, the general public are in good hands and that their safety comes first (Ezaki, et. al., 2020). Comment by Lisa Schwartz: Can you expand on this? In what context is this happening? At work drug testing? Comment by Lisa Schwartz: Again, this is unclear. Expand. What ethical principles in particular are at risk of being violated? Comment by Lisa Schwartz: OK, so I’m assuming you mean the use of the breath test in DUI cases, but you don’t discuss this earlier in the paper as its use. You should add earlier. You only focused on clinical uses, but the use in criminal cases is certainly more prone to ethical violations I would imagine. Comment by Lisa Schwartz: For this whole section, note how these issue align specifically with the four ethical principles learned in the course.

In conclusion, as seen above, breath tests are significant in diagnosing different conditions and hence the tests should be treated uniquely because of their role in identifying issues taking place in the human body. The hydrogen tests are especially important for dietary guidelines for the lactose intolerant people while the breathalyzer tests are important in helping to do away with people driving under the influence. Ethically, the breath tests poses a number of issues such as enhancing the public safety where the breathalyzer test is especially important for controlling the issue of driving under the influence and in ensuring that the public is safe. Comment by Lisa Schwartz: Yes, but in the beginning of your paper, it isn’t clear that you will discuss this use of the breath test, so go back and add

References Comment by Lisa Schwartz: I’d imagine you can find a reference or two regarding the ethics of using a breathanalyzer in criminal cases. Particularly the high likelihood that the tests are not administrated equally across races, gender, etc. I suspect.

Dede, F., Civen, H., Dane, F., Aliustaoglu, M., Turhal, S., Turoglu, H. T., & Inanir, S. (2015). Carbon-14 urea breath test: does it work in patients with partial gastric resection?. Annals of nuclear medicine, 29(9), 786-791.

Ezaki, H., Matsuura, T., Ayaori, M., Ochi, S., Mezaki, Y., Masaki, T., ... & Ikewaki, K. (2020). The fasting 13C-glucose breath test is a more sensitive evaluation method for diagnosing hepatic insulin resistance as a cardiovascular risk factor than HOMA-IR. Clinica Chimica Acta, 500, 20-27.

Wang, L., Yu, Y. M., Zhang, Y. Q., Zhang, J., Lu, N., & Liu, N. (2018). Hydrogen breath test to detect small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: a prevalence case–control study in autism. European child & adolescent psychiatry, 27(2), 233-240.