Implantable microchips have been around since 1958 when Jack Kilby first invented them. 30 years later, Professor Kevin became the first human to have a microchip implanted in his body. After that, the technology developed and improved over time.
Implantable microchips are tiny devices implanted in humans and animals for various purposes. These microchips are inserted either under the skin, in the brain, or teeth.
These tiny devices are comparable to the size of a rice grain. Although tiny, they are used for multiple cases. It is used to collect, process, and transmit data. It sounds like a futuristic technology, but it works like a barcode.
Source: Freepik
How does Implantable Microchips Work?
Implantable microchips utilise a combination of sensors, microprocessors, and wireless communication technologies.
The working mechanism of the microchip is:
- The microchip contains a passive RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) tag, meaning it does not have its power source. It receives wireless signals through sensors.
- When the chip is within the range of an RFID microchip reader, it picks up the reader’s signal.
- The chip then sends the data it contains, such as the unique ID, back to the reader.
- The reader links this ID to a database where the associated information is stored.
- This information is used for various purposes, like unlocking doors, making payments, and more.
From healthcare to convenience, these tiny devices hold immense potential.
Challenges of Implantable Microchips
Even though implantable microchips have a lot of practical applications, there arise a lot of challenges of implantable microchips.
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Social Implication and Ethical Concerns
The fears associated with microchip implants are loss of individuality and a sense of freedom. Stealing identities through microchip cloning is also a probability.
Digital divide and discrimination can arise with the implants being accessible to a group before the others. The cost of microchips also causes issues with the implantation.
Ethical concerns also arise if an employer or government entity decides to check on the chip’s content without the owner’s consent.
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Health Concerns
Although the microchips are safely enclosed in a glass tube, it can potentially cause issues such as:
- Risk of infection
- Inflammation
- Uncertainty about long-term health effects
- Migration of microchips within the body
- Potential for tissue reactions
- Incompatibility with medical equipment like MRIs
- Corrosion of chip components
Such health issues can be a major setback for advancement in implementing microchips in humans.
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Privacy Issues
The issue with any technology is that trust and data privacy issues arise. The major privacy issues regarding the implementation of microchips are that users worry about unauthorised access, data breaches, and the potential misuse of sensitive data.
Since RFID tags respond silently to the readers, hackers can use this feature for malicious intent. Hackers could easily access and steal your confidential information and use it against you.
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Legal and Regulatory Challenges
Current laws do not include the transfer of microchip ownership in pets. There are not enough laws to cover the implantation of microchips in humans as well. The current laws do not incorporate the whole situation of privacy. The major problem with legal challenges is that the requirements need to hold a legal basis.
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Public Perception
This is not a new concept– even if everything is done right, people still cannot accept the microchips due to doubtfulness. According to a survey in 2019, 37% of people did not want to get a microchip implanted in their body. But in a survey done in 2021, 51% would consider it. So, the public perception can be increased with proper techniques.
Tackling the Challenges of Implantable Microchips
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Clear Policies and Guidelines
Clear policies tackling the social implications need to be made. The monitoring aspect of such microchips can be minimised. Also, proper guidelines need to be set so that the use of unauthorised access is heavily discouraged. This makes the public more interested in such technology.
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Improved Health Monitoring and Therapies
Integration with other health services such as MRI can greatly improve the use case of microchip implants. However, complications arise when trying to integrate technology with each other. So, integrating health monitoring features in RFID implants can make health services and facilities more accessible.
Also, the implantation of such microchips should be done with the consultation of a medical professional.
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Encryption Methods to Secure Data Transmission and Storage
Different encryption methods can be used for data transmission through the microchip implant. Data collection should be minimised, keeping only the most essential data. Also, access control mechanisms should be integrated into the microchip implants to restrict access. For this, biometric authentication or unique identifiers can be used.
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Development of Regulatory Frameworks
We need clear boundaries on who can chip whom, what data gets stored, and who gets access to our data. Ground rules need to be set to prevent forced chipping and data misuse.
Existing data privacy frameworks like GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) need to include the processing of microchip-generated data in their policies.
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Public Engagement
Public engagement can be built by engaging them in discussions about the benefits and security risks of microchip implants. It is important to promote positive expectations about microchip implants. Educating the public about the capabilities and technological limitations of microchips can help reduce fear. It can also help them understand their rights concerning these devices.
Public Engagement can also be increased by:
- Being transparent about the technology and data collection.
- Addressing privacy concerns.
- Considering less invasive alternatives like removable chips.
This greatly improves public engagement resulting in social acceptance of such technology.
Present Status
With the advancement in technology, the use of implantable microchips has increased. In July 2017, about 150 out of 2000 employees of Epicentre had accepted the company’s chip implantation. It is estimated that approximately 10,000 people in the world have these microchip implants.
RFID chips have been used more and more throughout the decade. They have been used for various purposes, such as storing contact details, social media profiles, and e-tickets.
RFID implants are rapidly developing. Yet the manufacturers are not able to capture the public’s mind on this topic. Different challenges are hindering the promotion of such technology.
Wrapping Up
Applying implantable microchips faces a complex landscape filled with many challenges. Social, ethical, health, privacy, and public perception concerns must be addressed for widespread acceptance and ethical implementation. According to CDR Engineers Australia, these challenges can be tackled by setting clear rules, better health monitoring, securing data methods and involving the public in discussions. By doing so, we can implement microchips effectively while respecting people’s rights and keeping them safe.
FAQs
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How Long Do Microchip Implants Last?
Microchips are designed to last 20-25 years in pets. For humans, they are designed to last many years. However, the exact duration can depend on the type of chip and how it’s being used.
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Are Microchips Safe for Animals?
Yes, microchips are safe for animals but sometimes they might cause a bit of swelling.
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What are the Side Effects of Microchip Implants in Humans?
Infection may occur due to wrong implantation procedures. They can be hacked by someone so they can create a serious threat to your safety and security.