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Saturday, February 21, 2004
From Reason.com:
Researchers are developing tests that can detect traces of alcohol in urine for up to five days, in blood for up to three weeks, and in hair for even longer. The Scotsman (based on an article in New Scientist) reports the tests "could let a GP know if someone is a light or heavy drinker and tell investigators if a driver or worker involved in an accident was drunk at the time, even if they were not tested until days later." They also "could attract the interest of employers and insurance companies."
Assuming that employers do start using these tests, will they insist on complete abstinence (as with marijuana) or simply try to weed out problem drinkers? It's possible, I suppose, that teetotalers, on average, make better employees. But I doubt it.
This got me thinking... with the escalation of health care costs in society today, could it be that employers could, in the near future, begin to require healthy behavior (e.g., non-drinkers, non-smokers, adequate diet, exercise, and a relatively short medical dossier) for employment?
It's not such a reach to think this could become a reality. Think about it. How better to limit health care expenditures than to hire physically fit employees? If the costs get high enough, and with enough of an influx of money into the political process, it could happen.Labels: Archives_2004
.: posted by
Dave
8:18 PM
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