Advancements in Technology Have Meant That Nearly

¶ … advancements in technology have meant that nearly every single aspect of daily life is changing. A good example of this can be seen with the use of the RFID chips in health care. This has been touted in the news media, as a way to address a host of issues surrounding the industry and other challenges in society. A good example of this can be seen with comments from Andy Rooney of the television shows 60 Minutes. Who said, "Something has to change. They have to find a better way to identify the bad guys or the rest of us are going stay home and watch the world go by on television. We need some system for permanently identifying safe people. I wouldn't mind having something planted permanently in my arm that would identify me." (Baldwin, 2010) This is important, because it shows how implantable RFID chips can be used for a variety of applications, to address a number of different problems in society. In the case of health care, this can be utilized to quickly provide doctors, with the medical information on a patient in a matter of seconds. As a result, this is being touted as one way to address the lack of new technology being used in sector. However, this is creating a number of different concerns about possible abuses, surrounding how this information will be collected and utilized in the future. This is significant, because it showing the overall benefits and drawbacks of using these kind of chips in a health care environment. To fully understand the scope of this issue requires: comparing the advantages and disadvantages that this technology is providing. Once this takes place, it will offer the greatest insights as to the underlying challenges of implementing these chips in the modern day health care setting.

The Advantages of RFID Chips

The biggest advantages of using the RFID chip are that it can provide health care professionals with information on a patient quickly. This is important, because in life and death type of situations, the greater the access to the information in a patient's medical files will reduce the possibility of errors taking place. As this will provide doctors with specifics that they may not be aware of about: a particular individual (such as if they are allergic to penicillin or if they are a diabetic). When someone is unconscious, this information will help health care professionals provide the most effective treatment options. At the same time, first responders can scan the chip in the arm of an individual, to see if the person is suffering from preexisting conditions to include: high blood pressure, cancer or other ailments. This is significant, because it means that utilizing this technology in: the storage and retrieval of health information can save lives. As it will tell health care professionals and first responders the most important considerations they need to be aware of: when treating patients. Over the course of time, this will reduce errors and improve the quality of care that is being provided. (Barclay, 2004) ("FDA Approves Computer Chip for Humans," 2004) (Baldwin, 2010)

The Drawbacks of the RFID Chip

Despite the obvious benefits of using this chip in a health care setting, there are still major concerns surrounding how this information is being utilized. In this case, opponents will claim that this technology is creating a situation, where possible abuses could occur to include: potential civil rights infringements. This is troubling, because one of the major tenants of all regulations surrounding health care information is: that patients have right to have their personal information protected. As the wide spread use of these chips could mean that criminals could gain access to: these files and utilize this to conduct some kind of fraud (such as identify theft).

At the same time, law enforcement and various government officials could use these chips as a way to: secretly monitor as well as obtain personal information about individuals they are investigating. This is challenging, because the readily available access to the information means that obvious Constitutional protections (i.e. obtaining warrants on suspects and due process of law) are allowing them to go around these provisions. Over the course of time, this could mean that these chips will be increasingly utilized for a number of different purposes (even though this was intended to provide improved access to health care information). (Barclay, 2004) ("FDA Approves Computer Chip for Humans," 2004) (Baldwin, 2010)