What is the History Around Human Microchipping?
The history of microchipping in humans is fairly new as it first involved microchipping animals. This innovation transitioned and evolved as a single identifier with a simple scan with no need for identification such as a license to be kept on a person or a tag on pet collars. Deputy Vice-Chancellor and scientist Kevin Warwick, known as “Captain Cyborg,” became the first human to receive a microchip implanted into his arm in 1998. Fast forward two decades later and the technology is still uncommon, especially in the United States as we fear privacy infringement. Tom Wheeler’s book echoes the ideas in which innovations are developing quickly and how the rules are being rewritten. What hasn’t changed considerably would be the cyber vulnerability and artificial intelligence within these systems.
Rewind even as far back as 1959, as two developers are recognized for discovering microchip technology, this includes Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce. Texas Instruments in Dallas Texas received a U.S. patent for miniaturized electronic circuits under the name of Jack Kilby. Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation also received a patent under Robert Noyce for a silicon-based integrated circuit. Through exploration these two inventors made a name for themselves.
In 1985 a U.S. microchip manufacture known as AVID Identification Systems, Inc filed for a patent on its technology. This technology was approved for use in companion animals in Southern California. The technology within this RFID chip would require a scanner to locate the accompanying documents with this pet. This is still the best way to reunite pets with their owners when a physical tag is not present. I can personally say the microchip technology has secured my family dog when he escaped after I left town and he was being watched by a friend. A kind neighbor went to the trouble to take him to the vet to be scanned. Pet owners must keep in mind the contact information you provide could change if you move and update your phone numbers. It is important to make sure not only your contact information is up-to-date, keep another contact person listed, should the Pet Watch staff not get in touch with you directly you have a backup.
This leads me to review the privacy concerns in regards to the microchipping device being linked to our identity, bank accounts, gym memberships or from a medical perspective. Wheeler stated, “when everything is connected, everything is vulnerable”(pg. 237). I do agree with Wheeler because hackers continue to step-up their game seeking out the most defenseless companies with limited resources. The technology around this designed product should have the ability to protect anyone from having their health, financial and or personal information made public and users must be aware of their legal rights. The debate among skeptics include, does the benefits outweigh the negative aspects? During a medical emergency when time could lead to death, we are likely to favor the quick response that a human microchip provides. During the current COVID pandemic loved ones are not accompanying the sick to the hospital so if you are found unconscious or you are unaware of your medication or medical diagnosis, the information could again be retrieved quickly in an emergency setting. HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) laws would protect patients if their financial information is linked with the hospital scanning device. (1)
The concerns in regards to the safety of such practice has people doubting whether or not it is safe within our bodies and blood streams. However, in 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined the process was safe enough to be used within animals and humans (2). While Microchips are common today within our phones, computers and devices, most people aren’t aware of how they are created. This small manufactured technology is developed by using a semiconducting material with silicon or germanium. Microchips come in many different sizes though the one inserted into the human body or pet is as small as a piece of rice. This tiny microchip contains computer circuitry known as an integrated circuit. The cost of these chips have significantly gone down in price as the materials used are produced often as they are needed more frequently. Check on the following video with PBS Special Correspondent, Malcolm Brabant as he weighs in on the chatter around human microchipping.
The ethical and political debates that revolve around this topic makes it more difficult to move forward with this process. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, 11 states in the U.S. have passed statutes banning mandatory human microchips. While this invention has been around for some time now, we should get adjusted to this as the new norm as we move away from paper copies and outdated physical document storage. Security should remain the top priority for this device as Wheeler (Gutenberg to Google: the History of Our Future) explained within many text, the issues within digital networks as they have become new pathways for criminal activity adding continued threats with data storage. As we continue to move towards a more streamlined process with our personal data and information, human microchipping might as well be as secure or better than having multiple copies floating around. What do you think?
“Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14 Sept. 2018, www.cdc.gov/phlp/publications/topic/hipaa.html. (1)
Stein, Lisa. “The Incredible Journey: Microchip ID Reunites Owners with Cat — 13 Years Later.” Scientific American, Scientific American, 14 Nov. 2008, www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-incredible-journey-microchip-id-reunites-cat-with-owners/. (2)
Warwick, Kevin. I, Cyborg. University of Illinois Press, 2004.
Wheeler, Tom. From Gutenberg to Google: the History of Our Future. Brookings Institution Press, 2019. (pg. 237)
“Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt about Human Microchips.” Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt about Human Microchips | Center for Strategic and International Studies, 31 Aug. 2020, www.csis.org/blogs/technology-policy-blog/fear-uncertainty-and-doubt-about-human-microchips.
Integrated Circuit. history-computer.com/ModernComputer/Basis/IC.html.
