Bill forbids mandatory microchip implants

[AGENDA21]

MADISON, Wis. — Former Gov. Tommy Thompson was one of the first high-profile supporters of tiny microchips implanted in people's arms that would allow doctors to access medical information.

Now the state he used to lead is poised to become the first to ban governments and private businesses from forcing such implants on employees, privacy advocates say.

A proposal moving through the state Legislature would prohibit anyone from requiring people to have the tiny chips embedded in them or doing so without their knowledge. Violators would face fines of up to $10,000.

The plan authored by Rep. Marlin Schneider, D-Wisconsin Rapids, won approval in the Assembly last month. The state Senate is scheduled today to consider the measure, which would allow for the implants if the person gives consent.

http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/news/local/14420476.htm

[rkc3]

1. What scares me is that this is even up for discussion.

On what planet would implanting a chip, even for medical records, be a good idea?

[kahleefornia]

7. I want an implantable SpeedPass

I think it would be awesome to swipe my palm at the store and checkout quick. No sarcasm!

[TechBear_Seattle]

8. "And the number of the beast shall be Pentium 666..."

Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. (Rev. 13:16-17)

Embedded microchips that let you make purchases... the Talibangelicals have been quivering in fear over them since the mid 1970s, when Hal Lindsay "prophesied" about the coming End Times in "The Late, Great Planet Earth."

[bananas]

10. It wouldn't be any faster than it is now.

Processing the payment wouldn't be any faster than processing a credit card swipe.

[kahleefornia]

11. yeah, but you wouldn't have to sign a receipt

or enter a pin #. For that matter, you wouldn't have a pin # to forget (i do this all the time).

[bananas]

12. You don't have to sign a receipt or use a pin # anyway

When I buy gas, I just put the credit card in and don't sign anything.
When I order stuff over the phone, I just read them the numbers and don't sign anything.
No pin number, either.
Grocery stores could do it too.
Theft detection is now based on pattern analysis of purchases.

[soothsayer]

2. Hey! This ban is a great idea! I'd like to see at least 49 more.

[AGENDA21]

6. We need 49 more!!!

[RufusEarl]

3. I can't believe we need a law for this!

But if that's what it takes to stop some idiot from letting someone else implant a chip into their body, so be it!

[midnight]

4. Consent tied to grants or other carrots....

While this is great news, that chipping the Americans will be optional from this bill, it seems that those behind chipping will entice us with carrots ie. money. I can see it now. If you want funding for business. You can receive it if.... Sorry not so positive about this technologies or those promoting it.

[texastoast]

5. What are you afraid of?

Don't you know that if you don't have anything to hide that a microchip with GPS ability would be such a GREAT thing? The government can find you anywhere, just in case you get in trouble.

:sarcasm:

[pushycat]

9. Guess who makes the chips and chip readers?

They are interested in chipping all farm animals across the US too. Carlysle Group are doing this in China. Why not here? ha too much money to be made to think about morality issues...

http://www.rfidgazette.org/2005/11/tagging_dogs_in.html
http://news.com.com/Implanted+ID+chip+finds+way+into+ERs,+bars/2100-1041_3-5545802.html

They can also be hacked:
http://www.spychips.com/press-releases/verichip-hacked.html

<snip>"Patient...is fully aware of any risks, complications, risks of loss, damage of any nature, and injury that may be associated with this registration. Patient waives all claims and releases any liability arising from this registration and acknowledges that no warranties of any kind have been made or will be made with respect to this registration. ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, HOWEVER ARISING, WHETHER BY OPERATION OF LAW OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MECHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXCLUDED AND WAIVED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COMPANY BE LIABLE TO PATIENT FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST INCOME OR SAVINGS) ARISING FROM ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THEIR POSSIBILITY, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH DAMAGES ARE SOUGHT BASED ON BREACH OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY."


"For a life or death medical device, that's unbelievable," says McIntyre. "I wouldn't buy toilet paper that required that kind of a disclaimer, never mind a product that's supposed to serve as a lifeline in an emergency."<snip>