Fall 08 - T06 - G4

Group Information
Greg Rosol

Gurveer Randev

Merajuddin Iqbalzaba

Reza Safiyari

Introduction
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is an identification method, by using storage and remotely retrieving data from it. The technology can be incorporated into a product, animal, or a person and be used for multiple purposes such as gaining entrance to buildings or identifying personal identities. We will analyze some of the effects which human RFID technology has on society as well as some of its advantages, drawbacks, and ethical concerns.

History
1940 - 1950    Radars developed for the purpose of WWII. RFID invented in 1948.

1950 - 1960    Early explorations of RFID technology and laboratory experiments.

1960 - 1970    Start of applications field trials.

1970 - 1980    RFID really beginning to get popularized.

1980 - 1990   Commercial applications of RFID enter mainstream market.

1990 - 2008   RFID becomes a part of everyday life.

Harry Stockman invented RFID in 1948 when researchers were exploring into radars for the purpose of WWII. During this same time similar technologies, such as the “identification, friend or foe” (IFF), used in aircrafts were also invented. By 1970s the RFID technology was taken further advances, and in 1973, Mario Cardullo became the first to invent the modern RFID. The modern RFID is a passive radio transponder with memory, and uses radio waves to collect information from the memory. In 1990s, this technology started to appear in commercial use. In 1991, the world's first open highway electronic tolling system opened in Oklahoma. This meant, vehicles did no longer have to stop at toll collections and could pass them at highway speeds. Soon this technology began to invade everything. Today RFID is used in many applications: identification of all sorts of products (from cars to humans), banking (from electronic check books to visa cards), security, personnel identification, and medical identification.

How Human Identification Chips Work
Implanted human identification chips rely on radio-frequency identification technology (RFID). RFID utilize radio waves to automatically identify individual items which contain an imbedded tag. These RFID tags are usually small (see picture) object which can be applied to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification and tracking using radio waves. RFID tags must contain at least key two components. The first key component is an integrated circuit for storing information and also for modulating and demodulating a radio-frequency (RF) signal. The second key component is an antenna for receiving and transmitting the signal.

RFID tags can be categorized into two main types. The first type is a passive tag which does not require an internal power supply. The electrical current induced in the tag’s antenna by an incoming radio frequency signal provides just enough power for the tag’s integrated circuit to power up and transmit a response. The main advantages of passive tags are their small size and weight. The cost of RFID tags are also very small, ranging from one to three dollars. Also, the operational life span of a passive tag can range from 3-10 years. However, there are several disadvantages to passive tags, most notably their short read ranges (1-10 feet) and the fact that most can only be read-only (therefore, the information stored on them cannot be re-written on command). Also, passive tags require high powered readers which usually cost in the thousands of dollars. Most human and animal implantable identification chips are passive tags.

The second type of RFID tags are called active tags which have their own internal power supply, which is used to power the integrated circuits and to broadcast the frequency response signal to a reader. The onboard power supply of active tags can provide several advantages such as the power need for tags to read-write information on their on-board memory. Active tags have also much greater ranges, some of which can reach 300 feet. However, due to their larger size and weight (10g to several kilograms) and short battery dependant operational life (6 months to a few years), active tags are more difficult to use in humans or animals.

Human identification RFID tags are about the size of a grain of rice. One of the most well known and popular identification chip manufacturers is VeriChip. VeriChip is the only company in the world to offer an implantable FDA-cleared RFID microchip. The chip emits a 125-kHz radio frequency signal that can be picked up by a special scanner up to four feet away. The passive RFID tag manufactures by VeriChip inserts just under the skin and contains only a unique, 16-digit identifier. The chip itself does not contain any other data other than this unique electronic ID, nor does it contain any Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking capabilities. VeriChip claims that its chips cannot be lost, stolen, misplaced, or counterfeited.

The digit identification code in the implanted chips can be scanned by emergency personnel to immediately identify personal health information, therefore facilitating appropriate treatment with less delay. In theory, this technology would greatly benefit individuals in emergency medical situations who have lost consciousness, have impaired speech, or experience memory loss (such as Alzheimer's disease). The chip can also aid identification processes following certain disasters like hurricanes or plane crashes.

Benefits of Human RFID Chip Implantation
Human microchip implants can be used for information storage including personal identification, medical history, medications, allergies, and contact information. The positives of using human chip implantation are that it would allow immediate access to patient medical history regardless of the location or time. This makes it easier and efficient for doctors and nurses to gain vital knowledge about ill or injured patients, even in an emergency situation. Also, implanted chips are impossible to lose so your medical history is with you at all times – day or night.

Many exciting and different medical advances are showing us that human implantation is clearly the way of the future. Microchip implantation is being used to track prostate cancer in patients during the process of radiation. This newly developed technology helps monitor the position of prostate in a patient’s body. Human Chip Implantation is also helping elderly people with Alzheimer’s disease by implanting chips into individuals who are at risk of wandering off at night. The chips make it fast and easy to locate each individual and ensure that they are safely located.

Another positive aspect of human microchip implantation is being able to access high-security areas easily and safely. The benefits of human chip implantation are that the chip can never be lost, stolen, misplaced or counterfeited. Human chip implantation is gaining popularity in its use in credit cards, toll booths, passports and subway systems. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is making things more convenient for people.

RFID chips are common amongst pet owners as well. They imbed their pets with this chip to function as a tracking device and be able to track down their pet at any location if they ever go missing. Human Chip Implantation can make it possible for individuals to be physically tracked by using GPS – enabled chips. This would help authorities locate missing fugitives and help locate kidnapped children. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags are currently being used in many exclusive clubs around the world so that VIP members don’t have to wait in line; they just scan their chip and walk into the party.

Based on all the available research right now it appears that the pros of the embedded chip technology exceed the downfalls. Even though they are many moral issues raised against this technology, it is an asset to our society because it helps medical research and makes tasks faster and more efficient. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is the way of the future - it is modern technology that gives us convenience and freedom.

Disadvantages and Ethical Issues of Human RFID Chip Implantation
Although there are many advantages to human RFID chip implantation, there are severl factors to consider which raise certain ethical concerns. These factors include:


 * Public may be unwilling to trust the government or certain organizations feeling that human RFID chip implants could destroy every shred of basic freedom since those with the chip could be monitored and tracked 24 hours a day.


 * The cost and resources to implement and track RFID chips could be substancial. Costs include the chip itself, RFID scanners (with range in the thousands of dollars), training staff, and maintaining the equipment. Implementing these features to every major hospital in the country would require enourmous funds and effort.


 * Although certain organizations such as VeriChip claim that their FRID technology is completely safe from fraud, many sceptics are still not convinced that these chips are completely safe from hackers stealing information and identities.


 * Furthermore, since the RFID operates on to radio frequency signals, it's convenient for a hacker to use modern technology, such as computers or their own personal RFID scanner, to intercept these signals and steal information. This may lead to a mass invasion of privacy and/or fraud. Thus, people may feel insecure and live with fear to be in danger sooner or later.[[Image:AntiRFID.JPG|thumb|35000px|right|]]


 * Humans are the most complex organisms on planet and it's unpredictable to how someone will react to the devise present in their body. Also as there is the issue of how cell phone usage may cause damage to human brain due to certain wavelengths and frequencies of the phone, this similar concept may apply to these RFIDs because they are still a type of technology which runs via radio frequencies – it may cause some sort of damage to the skin and blood cells and therefore lead to some unseen diseases or disorders.


 * Some medical professionals suggest that mediacal tracking chips such as the VeriChip may fail in real emergencies and urge people with serious medical conditions to wear a medical alert braclette as a back-up in case the chip acctually does fail. Furthermore, certain studies show that patients with the chip may not be able to undergo a MRI scan in case of an emergency since during the scan the chip may overheat and cause serious injury to the patient.


 * Keeping in mind that these RFIDs can be hacked, it may bring insecurity and problems within the government – i.e. police force, peace keepers, soldiers and army – they may be hacked as well. It may therefore lead to chaos and instability with the government.