September 13, 2007
Foodconsumer.org
Radiofrequency identification (RFID) microchips may cause cancer in humans, according to previous studies that have not been known earlier to the public. Early studies have found the RFID chips implanted in pets cause cancer around the chips.
RFID chips are expected to
have a big market as this technology may be used in humans for quick
identification.
Quick
identification of a patient, such as Alzheimer's patient, allows doctors to
fetch medical records quickly and increase the survival odds of patients who are
in medical emergency.
Some 2000 people worldwide have already received RFID chips and the industry
expects millions of patients may use the chips in the future.
Nevertheless, early studies
have found mice and rats implanted with the RFID chips had significantly higher
risk of developing cancer. One study of 177 mice conducted in
VeriChip Corp, the maker of
RFID implants, disputed these studies saying in a company statement posted on
its web site "Over the last 15 years, millions of dogs and cats have safely
received an implantable microchip with limited or no reports of adverse health
reactions from this life-saving product."
VeriChip cited two studies that find no link between RFID implants and cancer in mice. "Since learning of the (AP) article, we have discovered two studies from our manufacturer... that examine microchip implants in laboratory mice and rats and conclude that microchip implants DO NOT cause malignant tumors."
Critics suspected that the Food and Drug Administration approved the RFID chip implants without considering the possible cancer-causing effect. They asked the agency for information on the approval of the medical monitoring device. The FDA rejected the request saying that the documents can not be released because of trade secrets.
Radiofrequency and cancer risk have been linked in a number of epidemiologic studies conducted by Korean researchers who found that children who lived near radio stations that use radiofrequency had a higher risk of childhood cancer such as leukemia.
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