Science News Archive

Identity Microchips to Hold Medical Records

A family in America have become the first people to be implanted with a tiny microchip the size of a grain of rice containing their medical records. The VeriChip, designed by US company Applied Digital Solutions, emits a signal containing information about the bearer when radio waves of a certain frequency pass over it. The purpose of the device is primarily to enable doctors to access the identity and significant previous medical history of an unconscious patient, much like the medic alert bracelet worn by some people in the country at the moment.

22nd Jun 2002