The VeriChip Corporation, a Delray Beach, Fla.-based provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) systems for healthcare, is supporting a Pennsylvania bill that would ban the forced implantation of identification devices in people.
 
The bill, introduced by Democratic State Rep. Babette Josephs, was unanimously passed by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on June 24 and will go to the Senate for consideration.

The chairwoman of the House State Government Committee, Josephs said implanting identification devices is part of a larger issue with the increasing number of technologies that can identify a person's personal information or location, including GPS, cell-site location and public surveillance.

"It's already happening," she said. "A private company in Florida is testing the safety of its microchip in 200 Alzheimer's patients. With all of these concerns, I believe informed consent is paramount for anyone considering having an ID implanted on or under their skin."

Scott R. Silverman, chairman of VeriChip, said, "For years, we, as a company, have enforced a strict privacy policy that starts with the voluntary use of our VeriMed Health Link patient identification system, which includes our implantable microchip, the VeriChip. The primary application of our VeriMed Health Link patient identification system and the VeriChip microchip is to identify high-risk patients and their medical records in an emergency or clinical situation."

Josephs said the privacy risks that could occur as a result of implanting such a device in any human, regardless of age or condition, outweigh any possible benefits. She also said some medical experts believe such devices may contribute to causes of cancer.

"Maintaining our personal and our family's privacy is becoming increasingly difficult," Josephs said. "Any positive impact that an implanted device could have would be eclipsed by the potential damage that could be done if the information was accessed by an outside party not intended to have the information."

"In general, we are supportive of legislation that prohibits forced implants," said Silverman. "VeriChip, like any other medical device, should be an election by the patient or his or her physician, loved one or guardian. As long as legislators understand the primary application of VeriChip and the benefits it can provide, we support – in fact we started – the voluntary nature of implantable RFID."

California, North Dakota and Wisconsin have also passed legislation to prevent forced implantation.