Chip implants are a cure that's worse than the disease

San Jose Mercury News: A Florida company is the latest to tap into America's growing fear-based culture.
Applied Digital Solutions won government approval last week for a microchip that can be implanted under a patient's skin to confirm a patient's identity and give doctors access to a patient's medical records. The company will market the device to people who fear they or their loved ones will turn up in emergency rooms and not have access to the quickest and safest treatments for their injuries.
The FDA was right to OK use of the devices, as long as the injections remain on a voluntary basis. But consumers should exercise caution before rushing to have the chips injected into their arms or the arms of their children.
The potential benefits of the $200 chips, particularly to Alzheimer's patients or unconscious accident victims, are obvious. But the unintended consequences could be annoying or even devastating.
Big Brother threat
The devices that scan the chips aren't available only to hospitals and doctors. Anyone with the means to purchase a reader -- including the government, employers and businesses -- can begin tracking the movements of people with the implants. And with the help of a cutting-edge antenna, the chips can be read from long distances.
That means a department store could send out a salesperson to recommend a pair of shoes to go with the outfit a shopper purchased on an earlier visit. A political party could solicit a donation after a potential voter attended a benefit concert for the poor. A government official could call a citizen in for questioning for associating with suspicious acquaintances or groups.
A better solution for the vast majority of people would be to obtain the chips but have them implanted into a removable device, such as a ring, necklace or bracelet. That's the simplest way to ensure that these chips come with a feature computer users know all too well: uninstall.