Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: thedoc on 09/02/2014 21:30:02

Title: Will newborns be microchipped in the future?
Post by: thedoc on 09/02/2014 21:30:02

Lorianna Koenneker <> asked the Naked Scientists:
   
In Germany, as of 2014, it states in a journal that all newborns will be implanted with a rfid chip. This system has already been implemented into Obamacare in the United States. It says that this microchip will note not only birthdate, name, blood type etc but also bank information and other personal data.

Other than that, my cousin seems to think that this chip will also invoke electrical impulses, be GPS controlled to turn people on or off etc...and a lot more pseudoscience.

Now my question is how can I chip do that? Those processes are complex and on an anatomical level, wouldn't it not fit through the brain-blood barrier? The only advantage I see in this is that it could track the individual's blood sugar, enzymes (for signs of heart attack), and other medical factors. Perhaps it could trace first signs of cancer, but what my cousin says just seems bonkers.

Thank you for your shows! (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/)

Sincerely,
Lorianna Koenneker

What do you think?

Title: Re: Will newborns be microchipped in the future?
Post by: CliffordK on 09/02/2014 22:01:13

Cats and dogs have been microchipped for years.  A vet needs to scan for a chip, and can help return the pet to the owner. 

The affordable care act (Obamacare) DOES NOT require "chipping" of people in the USA.

People like to mark their possessions, but don't like to be marked themselves.  So, in a sense a child might be their parent's possession, but that only lasts for so long. 

It is quite possible that any non-contact technology can be scanned at a distance of at least a few feet.  While it might be handy to keep one's library card in a "chip", at least in the USA, people don't want to be monitored everywhere.  However, in a sense, with the new facial recognition software, credit card tracking, cell phone tracking, whatnot, the days of anonymity are quickly coming to a close.  So, if people are tracked on camera everywhere in NYC, why not just "chip" the people?

As far as active implants.  We aren't there yet.  There are some people with experimental systems, especially with respect to trauma and disability.  Cochlear implants are now getting to be common to restore hearing for the deaf.  Of course there are also implantable pacemakers and defibrillators.  Parkinson's Disease implants?

Some people have implanted remote controls on bugs, but not on people.

Over the next 50 years, the ethics of voluntary implants for "enhancements" will be tested, but I find it doubtful we're on our way to becoming the Star Trek Borg.

Title: Re: Will newborns be microchipped in the future?
Post by: strata on 17/02/2014 08:48:38

I think it would lead to a massive black market - getting a chip removed wouldn't be difficult and as long you carried the explanted chip around most of the time you could essentially become invisible to monitoring at will by leaving at home when you're planning on being naughty,  plus there's the possibility of swapping chips. I can't see the public anywhere agreeing to chipping and an initiative like this would need a lot of public support to be worth the effort.

Mind you a couple of alarmist headlines mentioning immigrants and certain newspaper readers will agree to anything.......

Title: Re: Will newborns be microchipped in the future?
Post by: evan_au on 17/02/2014 11:04:40

I understand that the chips implanted in pets have a hormone in the casing which encourages tissue to grow around it and anchor it in place.
This ensures that it doesn't go wandering around body cavities and causing trouble, but it also makes it harder to remove.
You can also get versions without the hormone for other applications.

Title: Re: Will newborns be microchipped in the future?
Post by: CliffordK on 17/02/2014 11:57:18

The tissue fixing just means a bigger incision to get it out.  I.E.  you can't just cut a hole and squeeze.  No doubt it can still  be removed.

Could one build a self-destruct into the chips...  no not to destroy the patient.  But, to destroy the chip if the temperature gets outside of a specified range, or the chip gets exposed to air.  Undoubtedly there would be work-arounds as quick as the limits are put in place, but it might reduce the fraud.

Assuming the chips were mandatory, then one would tie facial recognition to the chips.  So, if one was caught on the street without one's chip, or with someone else's chip, then it could lead to serious punishment.

Title: Re: Will newborns be microchipped in the future?
Post by: alancalverd on 17/02/2014 16:49:44

If you can detect a RFID chip, you can fry it in situ. A little local anesthetic would be welcome but the burn will heal in a few days.