FDA Approves RFID Chip

[truseek]

WASHINGTON - Medical milestone or privacy invasion? A tiny computer chip approved Wednesday for implantation in a patient's arm can speed vital information about a patient's medical history to doctors and hospitals. But critics warn that it could open new ways to imperil the confidentiality of medical records.

The Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday that Applied Digital Solutions of Delray Beach, Fla., could market the VeriChip, an implantable computer chip about the size of a grain of rice, for medical purposes.

With the pinch of a syringe, the microchip is inserted under the skin in a procedure that takes less than 20 minutes and leaves no stitches. Silently and invisibly, the dormant chip stores a code that releases patient-specific information when a scanner passes over it.

Think UPC code. The identifier, emblazoned on a food item, brings up its name and price on the cashier's screen.

The VeriChip itself contains no medical records, just codes that can be scanned, and revealed, in a doctor's office or hospital. With that code, the health providers can unlock that portion of a secure database that holds that person's medical information, including allergies and prior treatment. The electronic database, not the chip, would be updated with each medical visit.

The microchips have already been implanted in 1 million pets. But the chip's possible dual use for tracking people's movements

[Guest dolphinsong1973]

I just read an article on msnbc.com that stated that President Bush was aiding in the funding of this chip, and I believe that is an outrage.

Right now they may say it is only for medical purposes but I think it may be for alot more soon.

Does anyone agree? Or know anything about it?

[M45510G1C]

I just read an article on msnbc.com that stated that President Bush was aiding in the funding of this chip, and I believe that is an outrage.

Right now they may say it is only for medical purposes but I think it may be for alot more soon.

Does anyone agree? Or know anything about it?

Well, in that article they cite some people who have been using them for non-medical purposes. I think it definitely has great potential for privacy invasion.

[soulwinner]

:wac: It's amazing to see how bible prophecy is being fulfilled before us now, the stage is set in place for the ac. you can look all around and see the sign of the times. We are seeing the seas roaring, famines, pestilences, war's and rumors of war In Daniel he said knowledge would increase not wisdom but knowledge we have seen that with the internet, this old world does not have the wisdom to see what is taking place. I heard of an ad that was placed in a paper and they offered poeple something like five hundred dollars to anyone who would take a chip under the skin the response they had was astounding!

[apothanein kerdos]

I just read an article on msnbc.com that stated that President Bush was aiding in the funding of this chip, and I believe that is an outrage.

Right now they may say it is only for medical purposes but I think it may be for alot more soon.

Does anyone agree?  Or know anything about it?

Well, in that article they cite some people who have been using them for non-medical purposes. I think it definitely has great potential for privacy invasion.

The increase of technology means the decrese of privacy. The very tool everyone is using right now (the internet) was feared as a way to violate our privacy.

So yes, this has potential to be a privacy violation...but at the same time it'd be hard for it to be one in its present state. After all, you have to have enough technology within it to be able to trasmit a signal no matter where you are...it's just too small for any communication devices to do it. In other words, the only way to extract the information off of the chip at the moment (and possibly for a while) is to have the person there and to scan it.

[amazedbyhislove]

I see this chip being used for financial purposes in the future....and eventually have something to do with the 666 in the fourhead or hand.....may not be too far off!

[M45510G1C]

it's just too small for any communication devices to do it. In other words, the only way to extract the information off of the chip at the moment (and possibly for a while) is to have the person there and to scan it.

Are you certain about that?

I'm not certain who holds the current record, but in '03, I know that network transmitters that were under 4x4mm existed

Edited October 16, 2004 by M45510G1C

[other one]

First of all, there is no privacy on the internet...... period.

Second the chips are already being linked up with cell phone technology that could easily be combined to make it all that it is supposed to be.

We await for some form of evil to put it all together to make it manditory.

These are all just tools for either good or bad use. Don't get so involved in fear of the tools that you don't see the evil coming that will ultamately use them. Then it won't matter if it is a chip, or a tatoo or a red mark on your cheek. The secret is when they tell you to use it or die. To worship the (????) whatever you want to calll the beast, or die....

[M45510G1C]

Here I go splittin hairs again

First of all, there is no privacy on the internet...... period.

I really think that is an oversimplification. It is extremely difficult, but one can manage anonymity and privacy online. Again, extremely difficult, but it is doable.

As for your other points Othe One,

Edited October 16, 2004 by M45510G1C

[other one]

Even those very hard things to do get their attention, then they can just come and kick in your door and look for themselves