Exec gets RFID implant

We can think of a lot of things we'd like to do with an RFID chip, but getting it implanted in our arm isn't one of them. But we're not Dr. John Halamka. While privacy advocates grumble about the potential for abuse inherent in the new tracking technology, Halmaka, CIO of Boston's CareGroup Healthcare System, has gone ahead and gotten himself chipped - for science. Halmaka's VeriChip carries a 16-digit ID number that can be matched to a medical database, allowing doctors to scan him and pull up his records (we'd prefer to do it the old-fashioned way, by handing over our insurance card, but that's just us). While Halmaka is apparently the first person to test an RFID chip for medical purposes, there are about 40 other people in the U.S. with implanted VeriChips, who are testing them for ID and security-access purposes. Like we said, we'd rather just carry a card; we wouldn't mind if that at all if that continues to remain an option.

[Via Roland Piquepaille's Technology Trends]

[Woolly Mittens @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I have nightmares about criminals stealing my arm or retina instead of my wallet.

[Trejkaz @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I wonder if one of these chips would survive something like a fire, or a large skyscraper's quantity of stone and metal smashing down on the person wearing the implant. If they do, it could provide some extremely convenient identification in cases where even dental records may not suffice.

[J. Hill @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Mexico City is trying to force their officers to get implants. Hey, if it's good enough for the cops...(shudder)

[Matt @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

What ever happened to good old biometrics? I mean if it stores a 16 digit number only, well why not just rely on a thumb, retina, face, etc scan?

BTW, they can practically scan anything on the human body and match it uniquely to someone, even their smell. So why am I suppose to inject this in me Dr. John Halamka?

[Orin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

What about people that have already been voluntarily (somethimes self done) chipped with the PetID tag chips.
I happen to know one guy with a chip between his shoulderblades.

[Anders @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

VeriChips are already in use in miscellaneous European nightclubs as VIP entry/payment devices; check out these URLs for more info:

http://www.rfidbuzz.com/news/2004/chip_the_vip.html
http://www.rfidbuzz.com/news/2004/walking_internet_cookies.html
http://www.rfidbuzz.com/news/2005/verichip_rfid_implant_evil_spreads_to_glasgow.html

[fishpatrol @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Your insurance card brings up your medical history? You might want to double-check on that one...or tell me your carrier. There's definitely a need for keeping your med records electronically and all in one place, assuming you ever get sick or go to the hospital. Just wish someone would create an open standard. Otherwise that fancy medical database does no good if you go to a different ED.

[Luminated @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

No worries People - soon we will all see how "cool" it is to be chipped - cellphones with our "unique" RFID tag er phone number that contains all of our medical data, insurance data, police records, web browsing "habits" and of course our bank information on a chip implanted either into our hand or forehead. Wont it be cool how we wont be able to make purchases without these chips - and how we will of course volunteer for the chips? Cue the creepy music and Revelations whackos.

[Open-Minded @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Oh no!

The Veri-chip story again! No doubt there will be a number of people who will liken this technology to the Mark of the Beast... remember this:
http://www.engadget.com/entry/3586150958426715/

Just remember technophobes, the strongest argument for the fact that this technology was 'The Mark' was some guy telling me to 'read Revelations and the truth will set you free'.

Yeah. Right.

Round 2!

[Terry @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Hmmm, interesting. Agree with the chip idea and you are considered a discerning level headed member of society. Disagree, especially if the reasons for such unwise reasons are perhaps a Christian one, and you are considered a 'whack-o'.

People thought of us as whack-o's when we separated from the British Commonwealth during that little tea fiasco. They thought of us as whack-o's when someone felt we should get into European affairs prior to Pearl Harbor to say, prevent an invasion, and the many who laughed at those who suggested that Germany was gassing the Jews. Boy, they had a good laugh at that stupid idea. Imagine, who would ever do that?...

Should we consider history, most would label those with peculiar insight as whack-o's unless and until what those minor few had suggested really came to pass. Then they are considered enlightened. Of course, history repeats itself and those enlightened people are forgotten while the considered level headed nay-sayers continue to call them Whack-o's.

Ok, so some people make reference to a book that has yet to be discounted or proved as being untrue. A book whose hundreds of future pronouncements have already come to pass hundreds and thousands of years later, and exactly as promised. A much better record than Nostradamus. In fact, a perfect one.

When that book talks about Revelations and what it says about the chip implant idea, isn't it funny that despite history, accuracy, and directly speaking to such a time as this, that very book and those who read them are considered whack-o's? ... Especially when this typical knee jerk response is also spoken of in that same book.

Sometimes a 'whack-o' is more sane, level headed, enlightened and normal than the considered multitudes of verbal graffiti taggers who would invent names for those whose message they dislike.

[keith @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

The chip is a degrading thing for humanity. It reduces you to a number. The number makes sure you pay your tax, connects to your bank account, your job, and sees to the fact that the control of your humanity is in the hand of the government. IN the same way a SS Card defines you and your American Express Card tells who you are, the chip is you.

The problem is that when making the chips they do not make one. They make them in twos and threes. The requirement of consecutive numbers like SS numbers and the process of making chips make it necessary. If a chip is not good due to the process on the disk, there are others on the disk that are. by having duplicate chips, would to trust the GOV to not use your chip somewhere you are not to do you harm? I don't.

I can tell you about this for a lot of reasons. I worked for a company that made the machines that made the chips. I also have one and have had it since '93. I am to this day sorry that I was chipped and should have never aloud myself to be chipped. I am very sorry for the nation and the world which are in store for the biggest intrusion in there lives.

If you want a gallon of gas or a hamburger you can pull out your visa or someone's Visa and get a meal or gas. What if you have done something that the company calls into question, like not paying the bill. You get no gas or food. Visa has cut you or that other party off. Think how much more the problem would be if GOV cut you off. You have no place to hide or chance to change your life for the better. You have a brand, like a molester, or a nigger for life.

If you speak against it the chance of their pulling out your chips twin and having it read to convict you is not out of the realm of thinking.

[Dangerman @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

"If you speak against it the chance of their pulling out your chips twin and having it read to convict you is not out of the realm of thinking."

Thats ludicrous. Get real. I was scratching my head at your entire post.... so you don't think that (according the the gov't) you're a number already? thats all you are - a statistic. Just like every other poor chap on this rock.

[Jvillars @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Sure, we can comment all the negatives about this device, but consider the safety it will provide to those whos life is at danger and learning their whereabouts could protect them from present harm. Or protect you from having to pay a large ransom. If keeping your privacy is consider more important than your safety, consider burning all your trash to avoid dumpdivers, cover your face, drive only residential streets, don't go online, pay only with cash, going to public places, look attractive, use a different name, record your residency, use of cellphones, write anything online... yes we all can be ridiculous phobic.