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The Age of Microchips
J
Issue date: 5/4/09 Section: News
A radio frequency identification tag [RFID] is an object that uses radio waves for the purpose of tracking or identifying products, animals, and even people. This technology is currently being used by the VeriChip Corporation. In 2004, VeriChip was approved by the Food and Drug Administration [FDA], which gave VeriChip the go to manufacture an implantable microchip in people for the use of medical services.
The microchip is only the size of a grain of rice and is inserted just under the skin of a person's arm. However, this idea has created a lot of controversy within religious groups and privacy advocates. They argue that this technology has many security issues. There have been numerous concerns about how this technology might be abused as it becomes a potential form of undisclosed surveillance, with most movements and activities monitored regularly without consent. Some Christian groups even call it the "mark of the beast" saying that later on the government could restrict people without microchips from buying and selling.
Regardless of the opposition to the technology, the idea of the microchip seems to be moving at a rather quick pace. There are thousands of people around the world that have microchips implanted in them, including the attorney general of Mexico and many of his staff members. As the fear of terrorism increases all over the nation, Americans may be willing to give more of their liberties for better security, effectively resulting in the possibility of a microchip society, neutralizing the freedom that this country once had to offer.
The microchip is only the size of a grain of rice and is inserted just under the skin of a person's arm. However, this idea has created a lot of controversy within religious groups and privacy advocates. They argue that this technology has many security issues. There have been numerous concerns about how this technology might be abused as it becomes a potential form of undisclosed surveillance, with most movements and activities monitored regularly without consent. Some Christian groups even call it the "mark of the beast" saying that later on the government could restrict people without microchips from buying and selling.
Regardless of the opposition to the technology, the idea of the microchip seems to be moving at a rather quick pace. There are thousands of people around the world that have microchips implanted in them, including the attorney general of Mexico and many of his staff members. As the fear of terrorism increases all over the nation, Americans may be willing to give more of their liberties for better security, effectively resulting in the possibility of a microchip society, neutralizing the freedom that this country once had to offer.
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Dallas Movers
posted 7/16/09 @ 12:40 PM CST
I had not heard of these chips being implanted in people, though I know that many pets have a chip so that their owners could be found in the event they are picked up on the street. (Continued…)
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