Startup's STI Detection Tool Raises Concerns Over Accuracy and Ethics
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Startup HeHealth launched Calmara.ai to detect STIs from penis photos, claiming 65-96% accuracy. Doctors say it is unreliable and prone to false positives/negatives.
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Calmara issued "Clear" verdicts on textbook images of severe STIs and "suspicious" tags to normal anatomical variations. It also struggled to distinguish genitals from inanimate objects.
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Inaccurate results could increase stigma, anxiety, and misinformation around sexual health instead of providing "clarity."
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Medical experts said technology can help lower barriers to sexual healthcare but Calmara's specific approach has no benefits and multiple harms.
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HeHealth has raised $1.1 million and is seeking $1.5 million more, concerning some experts regarding startup growth motives in health.