The Associated Press
Updated: 6:38 p.m. ET Oct. 13, 2004
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.
VeriChip Link
I remember having one of these chips intalled in my dog about 8 years ago. I really didn't want to lose him or have him stolen. At the time I thought it was so cool to not have to worry about dog tags. But who would have thought that installing chips in dogs was more than likely a guinnea pig experiment for whats next on the horizon for humans?
So what's next? This chip is capable of storing financial information, social security info, health and pharmacy info, etc. There are rumors the it will evolve into being a replacement for check cards...you need only scan your "CHIP" to pay for groceries in the future.
I, for one would NEVER consent to putting a chip into my body, but can't you just see it now...stores and businesses just STOP accepting credit cards and check cards because they want to use the CHIP?? That would FORCE people into allowing doctors/scientists to put the chip in each of us.
What happens if someone is able to erase your data?? Where would the paper trail be? Am I the only one who is alarmed by this?
Updated: 6:38 p.m. ET Oct. 13, 2004
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.
VeriChip Link
I remember having one of these chips intalled in my dog about 8 years ago. I really didn't want to lose him or have him stolen. At the time I thought it was so cool to not have to worry about dog tags. But who would have thought that installing chips in dogs was more than likely a guinnea pig experiment for whats next on the horizon for humans?
So what's next? This chip is capable of storing financial information, social security info, health and pharmacy info, etc. There are rumors the it will evolve into being a replacement for check cards...you need only scan your "CHIP" to pay for groceries in the future.
I, for one would NEVER consent to putting a chip into my body, but can't you just see it now...stores and businesses just STOP accepting credit cards and check cards because they want to use the CHIP?? That would FORCE people into allowing doctors/scientists to put the chip in each of us.
What happens if someone is able to erase your data?? Where would the paper trail be? Am I the only one who is alarmed by this?