Microchips in Humans

Microchips in Humans


In 2004, the FDA approved microchips in humans. According to the Washington Times, A microchip that can be implanted under the skin to give doctors instant access to a patient's records won government approval, a step that could revolutionize medical care but is raising alarm among privacy advocates.
The tiny electronic capsule, the first such device to receive Food and Drug Administration approval, transmits a unique code to a special scanner that allows doctors to confirm a patient's identity and obtain detailed medical information from an accompanying database. Implantation takes about 20 minutes and leaves no stitches.
Applied Digital Solutions of Delray Beach, Fla., plans to market the VeriChip systems — the chips, scanners and the computerized database — to hospitals, doctors and patients as a way to improve care and avoid errors by ensuring that doctors know whom they are treating and their personal health details.
Doctors would scan patients like cans at a grocery store. The patient's medical record would pop up on a computer screen. Emergency-room doctors could scan unconscious car-accident victims to check their blood type, medications and make sure they have no drug allergies. Surgeons could scan patients in the operating room to guard against cutting into the wrong person. Chips, about the size of a grain of rice, could be implanted in Alzheimer's patients in case they get lost.
"In hospitals today, many deaths occur because people aren't able to communicate timely enough their medical information or because of wrong information," said Scott Silverman, the company's chief executive. "With VeriChip, you'll be able to have accurate information even if a patient can't talk."
Discussion:
· Latest use in hospitals for medical information
· Microchipping in humans create ethical issues
· Big Brother?