FDA approves computer chip for humans
Devices could help doctors with stored medical information
The VeriChip, the size of a grain of rice, is inserted under the skin with a needle in a procedure that takes less than 20 minutes to complete.
The Associated Press
Updated: 3:23 p.m. ET Oct. 13, 2004WASHINGTON - The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved an implantable computer chip that can pass a patient’s medical details to doctors, speeding care.



VeriChips, radio frequency microchips the size of a grain of rice, have already been used to identify wayward pets and livestock. And nearly 200 people working in Mexico’s attorney general’s office have been implanted with chips to access secure areas containing sensitive documents.

Delray Beach, Fla.-based Applied Digital Solutions in July asked the FDA for approval to use the implantable chip for medical uses in the United States. The agency had 60 days to reply to the “de novo” application.

It’s the first time the FDA has approved the use of the device, though in Mexico, more than 1,000 scannable chips have been implanted in patients. The chip’s serial number pulls up the patients’ blood type and other medical information.

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 — similar to the identifying UPC code on products sold in retail stores — that releases patient-specific information when a scanner passes over the chip.

At the doctor’s office those codes stamped onto chips, once scanned, would reveal such information as a patient’s allergies and prior treatments.

The FDA in October 2002 said that the agency would regulate health care applications possible through VeriChip. Meanwhile, the chip has been used for a number of security-related tasks as well as for pure whimsy: Club hoppers in Barcelona, Spain, now use the microchip much like a smartcard to speed drink orders and payment.

[cough]

Mark of the Beast

[/cough]

Some family down in South Fla. had these installed a year or so ago. I am a little surprised that no one has forcibly dug the chips out of their sheeple arms. Anyone who allows one of these things to be placed in his body (outside of maybe a member of the military during a term of service, or a prisoner) is a witting or unwitting part of a long term slide toward the destruction of all our liberties.

ETA: "Beginning of the Mark of the Beast" and "Way for the Gov't to track us" are the same thing.

Quoted: [cough] Mark of the Beast [/cough]

Could be, I just got finished reading the book 666, scary.

Sounds like a good simple idea.  But what if it gets misused?

It is the gov. trying to track us.  I don't buy into the Book of Revelations word for word.

ETA: "Beginning of the Mark of the Beast" and "Way for the Gov't to track us" are the same thing.

+1

I dont necessarily see anything wrong with certain types of chips or implants being put into people.

That being said I would not want anything that would allow others to track my movements.

Snake Pliskin had one of those in his neck and he saved the president.  I'm all for it!

Quoted: ETA: "Beginning of the Mark of the Beast" and "Way for the Gov't to track us" are the same thing. +1

Would that imply that the U.S. was the antichrist?

As long as it is a choice, I believe people should have the CHOICE to have it installed if and ONLY if they so chose...This particular device wouldn't be able to track anyone...they have to put a want next to it to receive the radio waves....its no good tracking someone if you have to be 3 inches or so away at all times...but yes, I'm sure that technology will be available (small version like this one) soon.