RFID Implants Cause Cancer?

Okay, this may be another sign of my RFID paranoia, but this article claims that new studies show implanted RFID microchips can cause cancer in a statistically significant portion of the animal population on which they were tried.

As the AP will report, a series of research articles spanning more than a decade found that mice and rats injected with glass-encapsulated RFID transponders developed malignant, fast-growing, lethal cancers in up to 1% to 10% of cases. The tumors originated in the tissue surrounding the microchips and often grew to completely surround the devices, the researchers said.

So, maybe it is time to slow down the RFID train a bit, even if you are not a religious nut like me who fears the Mark of the Beast?

Please, Connecticut Senators, Pass This Law!

The California senate has just passed a law that every state in the Union should pick up. It bans employers from requiring their employees to accept RFID implants.

Tackling a dilemma right out of a science fiction novel, the state Senate passed legislation Thursday that would bar employers from requiring workers to have identification devices implanted under their skin.

State Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) proposed the measure after at least one company began marketing radio frequency identification devices for use in humans.

The devices, as small as a grain of rice, can be used by employers to identify workers. A scanner passing over a body part implanted with one can instantly identify the person.

"RFID is a minor miracle, with all sorts of good uses," Simitian said. "But we shouldn't condone forced 'tagging' of humans. It's the ultimate invasion of privacy."

Simitian said he fears that the devices could be compromised by persons with unauthorized scanners, facilitating identity theft and improper tracking and surveillance.

Think I am overreacting? One company has already "tagged" 1000 of its employees.