RFID Chip Implants in Humans

An Ethical Debate

Radio Frequency Identification

Relevant facts

A form of Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) technology Expected to replace barcodes Radio Frequency Identification Developed during World War II, out of the radar experiments 1970s - RFID implementations started to occur, but the cost of the tags were still very high, use was limited

1997 - low cost tags made available

1980s - toll systems breakthrough

1990s
the proliferation of competing systems and radio frequencies employed created the need for standards and interoperability

Before the year 2000, the most common uses for RFID in the USA included toll way passes, access ID cards and ID chips that are inserted in animals for identification

As the technology improved, its applications increased

Standards were developed to allow systems to work together miniaturization of the tags improvements in manufacturing dropped the price of the tags mass production and use of the system

How does RFID work?

The tag senses the RF wave, and responds with some data

The tag responds to a signal from the Interrogator, which in turn sends a signal to the Computer

A reader RF wave to a tag

Radio Frequency Bands

13 MHZ (HF) tags:
better at penetrating liquids used for access control such as in security cards and wristbands. read range is about 3 feet or 1 meter.

900 MHZ (UHF) tags:

reading multiple tags simultaneously

ideal tags for inventory purposes

read range at this frequency is about 3-10 feet or more depending on what type of reader, interrogator or access point is used.

Radio Frequency Bands

The lower frequencies 125-134kHz and 13.56MHz work much better near water or humans than do the higher frequency tags The generic frequencies for RFID are: 125 - 134 kHz 13.56 MHz UHF (400 930 MHz) 2.45 GHz 5.8 GHz

RFID vs Bar Codes

RFID ADVANTAGE Bar Codes ADVANTAGE

Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) Inventory Efficiency Return on Investment Vulnerability to damage is minimized Does not require line of sight Contact-less

Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) Low cost

RFID vs Bar Codes

RFID DISADVANTAGE Bar Codes DISADVANTAGE

Dead areas and orientation problems Security concerns Ghost tags Proximity issues High costs Unread tags Vulnerable to damage

Need to be seen
Cannot be written on or defaced Cannot be exposed to harsh environments Cannot change the data once they are printed Take up space on the object they are printed on Staff intensive

Types of RFID
1. Passive do not require an internal power source 2. Active has internal power source 3. Semi-passive (battery-assisted)

RFID Applications
Supply Chain Automation/ Asset Tracking People Tracking

Manufacturing

Retail/ Warehouses Real-time inventory

Medical application biometric measurements in cases of emergency infants, elderly, and patients with chronic diseases Livestock Timing

RFID Implant on Humans

Infant Protection

Emergency Management

Patient Identification Wander Prevention Vibration Monitoring Assetrac system

Tool and Equipment Management System

Ethical Dilemma

ETHICAL DILEMMA
GOOD BAD

Emergency Management Secure patient identification Infant security Safety Management

Unsecured data storage Possible abuse and misuse of personal information People-tracking RFID implants to store financial information

ETHICAL DILEMMA
GOOD BAD

Unsecured data storage

SAFETY & SECURITY

VERSUS

Possible abuse and misuse of personal information

PRIVACY

People-tracking RFID implants to store financial information

STAKEHOLDERS

Patients and Patrons RFID Manufacturers Database caretakers Government and Legislators

Alternatives

ALTERNATIVE #1

RFID Chip Implants should be made available and its potential should be maximize

ALTERNATIVE #1

Utilitarianism
provide convenience for everyone especially to those who need close medical attention people can readily pay for items (no need to bring cash or credit cards)

ALTERNATIVE #1

Care
Provide security Ability to track down terrorists and criminals Ability to track missing loved ones

ALTERNATIVE #1

Rights
Provides basic right to health care Doctors can access their patients medical histories faster Help save lives

ALTERNATIVE #1

improvement of health care and security of people the benefits far outweigh the perceived ill effects

ALTERNATIVE #2

RFID Chip Implants should NOT be made available.

ALTERNATIVE #2

RFID Chip Implants are:

Not necessary Not beneficial Not practicable

ALTERNATIVE #2

RFID implants linked to cancer!

ALTERNATIVE #2

ALTERNATIVE #2

ALTERNATIVE #2

ALTERNATIVE #2

However

ALTERNATIVE #2

To ban RFID chip implants is to deprive these individuals of medical and security benefits that this technology offers.

ALTERNATIVE #2

This alternative upholds the value of PRIVACY, and serves to protect the possible encroachment on peoples basic human liberties.

ALTERNATIVE #3 RFID Chip Implants should be made available under certain conditions

ALTERNATIVE #3
Utilitarianism

The technology could benefits the elderly, babies/children, and people stricted by heath conditions Condition: Limit and control of information stored in the chips

ALTERNATIVE #3
Rights
Everyone have the right to the technology The technology is available to the public People have the right to use or not to use the technology Intended users should be fully disclosed on how the technology works, side effect and how it could affect their lives

ALTERNATIVE #3
Justice

Establish law and regulations on RFID

Therefore,

Ensured security and safety of the data stored

ALTERNATIVE #3
Virtue
By not imposing the use of the chips and making the technology available to those who need it, we respect people as human being and not just some machines that need to be controlled

ALTERNATIVE #3
Care
Better treatment of patients cause all historical medical date is available in one chip and can be easily extracted with a scanner The technology can be used to locate family members in case of emergency or disaster

ALTERNATIVE #3
When these safeguards are put into place, the technologys potential to locate family members in case of emergency or disaster, and the uplifting of the publics health care, will be maximized

Conclusion Recommendation

 We abide to European Group on Ethics (EGE) principles that govern the adoption of implantable RFID devices in the human body, to wit:
The objective is important, like saving lives, restoring health and improving the quality of life. Implant is necessary to achieve this objective. There is no less invasive and more cost effective method of achieving the objective

we believe that a controlled balance between the technologys benefits and perceived ill effects will promote the maximum advantage to the society as a whole

With conditions
Limited application Voluntary basis Security of information Robust research and studies Full disclosure of the technologys benefits and ill effects

Jason Bibit Richard Huang Stanley Naibaho Ryan L. Relato Utami Setiawan Annisa Dwi Sukma Amra Yondonsuren