Thread: Newsweek:Myths Abouth Implantable Chips

LOOKS LIKE NEWSWEEK IS PUSHING RFID CHIPS.


Myths About Implantable Chips
Implantable microchips can provide life-saving data in emergencies. Opposition to them is too often based on misinformation about what they can do

by Scott R. Silverman

Editor's note: This is the first in a series of perspectives on implantable microchips.

You have no doubt heard heart-warming stories about radio frequency identification, or RFID, microchips that reunite lost pets with their owners. These life-saving devices have been used safely for more than 15 years in tens of millions of dogs and cats around the world. There are more than 70,000 scanners in animal shelters and veterinary offices and, each month, more than 8,000 dogs and cats are reunited with their owners (rather than, in many cases, being euthanized) as a result of this technology. Pet microchipping is globally recognized as the best way to identify lost pets.

You may not know that a similar device has been cleared by the Food & Drug Administration for use in humans. It's marketed by my company, VeriChip Corp. (CHIP), and it's not only effective and safe, supported by years of successful use in the pet world, but it can also save a patient's life in the first critical minutes of an emergency situation. I'd like to clear up some misconceptions surrounding this device.

Medical Information Is Private
Cleared by the FDA in October, 2004, VeriChip's VeriMed Patient Identification System consists of a radio frequency identification (RFID) microchip that stores a unique, 16-digit number; a proprietary reader; and a personal health record (PHR) database. The microchip is implanted through a simple injection above the triceps area of a patient's right arm and, once scanned, links to a secure PHR database providing the patient's identification information, PHR, and other relevant information the patient desires to communicate. The password-protected information, transmitted through an Internet-enabled computer, gives emergency department staff rapid and secure access to the information they need to make better health-care decisions during an emergency.

Some question whether the system keeps sensitive medical information safe. The microchip can provide hospital staff with all of a patient's medical information, including illnesses or previous surgeries, medication allergies, and current medications the patient is taking. Only authorized emergency department personnel at authorized hospitals are able to scan the microchip from a secure range of just a few inches. It is impossible to obtain the patient's information unless the person has authorized access to the PHR database. That authorization comes from the patient, through his PHR database. For years, our company has enforced a strict privacy policy that starts with the voluntary use of our VeriMed Patient Identification System and its opt-in and opt-out capabilities. Our company was built around one simple premise: the decision to receive the VeriMed microchip, like any other medical device, should be a choice made by the patient or his or her loved one or guardian.

The Chips Are Safe
Last year a story was published by the Associated Press alleging implantable microchips cause cancer—an accusation we firmly dispute. This story referred to three studies that linked implantable microchips to malignant tumor formation. It is important to point out that none of these studies was designed to investigate the microchip as a cause of tumor growth and the findings were incidental to the research. It is also important to note that these studies used mice and rats specially bred and altered to increase their susceptibility to cancers. It is also critical to note that as part of the primary design of the studies, the mice and rats were exposed to various cancer-causing agents such as X-ray radiation and chemical carcinogens. It is therefore impossible from these three studies to relate any tumor growth directly to the implanted microchips. The medical profession and those familiar with laboratory research understand these very important differentiators and the public must as well. Most importantly, the FDA continues to support its approval of the product. Myths About Implantable Chips

During the FDA approval process we provided 34 studies to the FDA demonstrating the safety of implantable microchips. There have been numerous studies in mice, rats, woodchucks, rabbits, guinea pigs, pigs, and dogs that investigated the microchip and potential adverse effects of inserting it into subcutaneous tissue. None of these studies showed any tumors or other significant problems. It is clear the use of microchips in humans and pets is a safe and a dependable means of identification that has been used in millions of animals for over 15 years and in humans for the past several years. Except for a few vocal naysayers, this product is overwhelmingly embraced by medical professionals and high-risk patients.

VeriMed Chips Don't Track You
There has also been some confusion regarding the VeriMed microchip's capabilities. The VeriMed microchip is a passive device (it has no power source) that is activated only when read by our scanner. The microchip stores only an identification number and cannot track a person's whereabouts because it does not have Global Positioning System capability. Some privacy advocates have voiced concerns regarding our microchip but often we find that once people are educated on what the device is: a passive identification tool to identify high-risk patients and their medical records; and what the device isn't—a GPS tracking device —their concerns are mollified. The medical community acknowledges the need for this technology in order to save lives.

Recently a few states have passed legislation banning the forced implantation of RFID microchips. As long as legislators understand the primary application of our microchip and the benefits it provides, we support the voluntary nature of implantable RFID. Although a variety of potential applications for our technology have been discussed, such as the identification of guest workers, military personnel and others, we focus on the identification of high-risk patients and have always believed that the decision to receive our implantable microchip should be voluntary.

I often am asked if I would consider getting a microchip. In fact, I was one of the first to receive a microchip, in 2002. I cannot feel its presence and usually forget that it's there, but my family and I take comfort in the fact that if I am ever unable to speak in an emergency, my microchip will do all the "talking."

Silverman is chief executive officer of VeriChip, a Delray Beach (Fla.) maker of implantable microchips .









http://www.businessweek.com/technology/ ... technology

The truth is

If you carry a credit card or cell phone you are
already carrying a chip

Implants for animals may be good
Implants for people very bad , unless it is voluntary for a
medical reason

otherwise

NO WAY

Cell phones are how they caught Scott Peterson (murdered his wife Lacey). Even if the chip does not have GPS capability, if you come near a scanner, well there you are! All they need to do is have scanners all over. They already have cameras all over London, and a lot more here too. Yes, they can automate face recognition.

One, another company called Digital Angel is working on the GPS component for these chips.

Two, you can be tracked by the chips wherever scanners are installed and you can pass through scanners without your awareness.

Three, people are NOT animals and should not be implanted as such for any reasons due to the massive threat to our privacy and freedoms should this technology be turned into surveillance tool like every other facet of our lives has been.

If our government now tracks US citizens by bank accounts, Internet usage, phone conversations, library records, video rental records, Onstar vehicle data and voice feeds, etc... and if our government now has spy satellites trained on US soil and US citizens, why would anyone suddenly make the leap to believe these chips would not be used in the same way?

W

Sorry......I just don't like the idea of anything implanted in me. Maybe I watched too many sci-fi shows where they cut off peoples fingers to use their fingerprints to enter areas that I'm not too keen on having them turn off someones chip to where they need to get mine to survive. (I heard they had the ability to shut down your chip when you did not comply to something....making it impossible for you to get a job, get money, buy anything etc.) It may not be their first excuse to use this but knowing how this world is going it's only a matter of time till they do.

Not for me...........I would run and hide........

Chip your pet if you want. I wouldn't only because I have a skittish kitty that probably would perish......just from frenetic activity to get away.

I did read that story from the AP, and also from Caspian, an online site against all the tagging and loss of personal privacy.

Absolutely right how they can find us with gps, etc. Its Un-American they way various things are being abused and illegally used.

Even the contemplation of using same on humans is terrifying. Definitely not something I could even think about.

Crazybird I agree with ya........maybe we have watched to much sci-fi.....

This and Real Id they can stuff.

But not on me..........

You can plug my address into zillow.com and get a nifty view of my house and yard. Good thing I wasn't sunbathing nekkid out back (just kidding, I don't do that!) They seem to take the pics in the winter so the leaves are down.

Good thing I wasn't sunbathing nekkid out back (just kidding, I don't do that!)

LOL.....I did that once. Nice quite secluded back yard. So north, south, east and west.....I was good to go. Peacefully soaking up the rays when I hear whoopin and hollering.....never thought about the airport and the sky diving club about 1/4 mile away.... I look up and there's tons of sky divers floating along. They were working on some world record at the time.....needless to say it was my last time.....you never know who's watching these days.