theist Posted October 14, 2004 Report Share Posted October 14, 2004 Technology - Reuters FDA: Chip Implant Can Be Used to Get Health Records Wed Oct 13, 4:40 PM ET Technology - Reuters WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A computer chip that is implanted under the skin won U.S. approval on Wednesday for use in helping doctors quickly access a patient's medical history. The VeriChip, sold by Applied Digital Solutions Inc., is placed in the upper arm in a painless procedure that takes minutes, the company said. Shares of Applied Digital jumped 68 percent to $3.57 on the Nasdaq. About the size of a grain of rice, the chip contains a patient's identification number that corresponds to health information in a computer database. A handheld scanner can retrieve the patient's number from the chip, which emits radio waves when activated. Proponents hope doctors will use the technology to find vital information about someone who is unconscious or having trouble communicating. The database could include details such as medication use, allergies and major health problems. The chip implants have been used for years for various purposes such as identifying lost pets. But Applied Digital was not allowed to market the chips for medical use in the United States until the company received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (news - web sites) on Wednesday. The FDA (news - web sites) ruled in 2002 that it would not regulate financial, security or *other uses of the chips. Privacy advocates have voiced worry about the speedy transfer of sensitive medical information via computer. Applied Digital said the data would be kept secure.** Shares of Digital Angel Corp., which licenses the VeriChip technology to Applied Digital, rose nearly 29 percent to $3.49 on the American Stock Exchange. * What other uses could there be. Let your imagination run wild, theirs are. ** Yeah right I'm just wondering how long it will take them to start mandatory implantations at birth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kulapavana Posted October 14, 2004 Report Share Posted October 14, 2004 "I'm just wondering how long it will take them to start mandatory implantations at birth" these chips can be implanted without your knowledge. the existing pneumatic implanting equipment causes minimal sensation, less than a mosquito bite. these chips are already in use here and in europe. US special ops soldiers get implants that allows their location be monitored via a satelite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theist Posted October 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 Looks like its time to upgrade from my aluminun hat to some sort of full body armour. Things are getting stranger everyday. Is there a limit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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