Myths About Implantable Chips

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During the FDA approval process we provided 34 studies to the FDA demonstrating the safety of implantable microchips. There have been numerous studies in mice, rats, woodchucks, rabbits, guinea pigs, pigs, and dogs that investigated the microchip and potential adverse effects of inserting it into subcutaneous tissue. None of these studies showed any tumors or other significant problems. It is clear the use of microchips in humans and pets is a safe and a dependable means of identification that has been used in millions of animals for over 15 years and in humans for the past several years. Except for a few vocal naysayers, this product is overwhelmingly embraced by medical professionals and high-risk patients.

VeriMed Chips Don't Track You

There has also been some confusion regarding the VeriMed microchip's capabilities. The VeriMed microchip is a passive device (it has no power source) that is activated only when read by our scanner. The microchip stores only an identification number and cannot track a person's whereabouts because it does not have Global Positioning System capability. Some privacy advocates have voiced concerns regarding our microchip but often we find that once people are educated on what the device is: a passive identification tool to identify high-risk patients and their medical records; and what the device isn't—a GPS tracking device —their concerns are mollified. The medical community acknowledges the need for this technology in order to save lives.

Recently a few states have passed legislation banning the forced implantation of RFID microchips. As long as legislators understand the primary application of our microchip and the benefits it provides, we support the voluntary nature of implantable RFID. Although a variety of potential applications for our technology have been discussed, such as the identification of guest workers, military personnel and others, we focus on the identification of high-risk patients and have always believed that the decision to receive our implantable microchip should be voluntary.

I often am asked if I would consider getting a microchip. In fact, I was one of the first to receive a microchip, in 2002. I cannot feel its presence and usually forget that it's there, but my family and I take comfort in the fact that if I am ever unable to speak in an emergency, my microchip will do all the "talking."

Silverman is chief executive officer of VeriChip, a Delray Beach (Fla.) maker of implantable microchips .