Researchers: A link was found between RFID implants and cancer

Because in studies published in veterinary and toxicology magazines between 1996 and 2006, it was found that mice and rats in which chips were implanted developed tumors under the skin in some cases ● Most of the tumors grew around the implants ● The VeriChip company, a manufacturer of radio frequency identification chips, stated that it would check the studies in which a connection was found Between RFID implants and cancer

Thomas Cleburne, InformationWeek

A few weeks ago, the Associated Press news agency published a news item, according to which studies conducted in laboratory animals found a connection between RFID implants and cancerous tumors. However, Kevin Warwick, a professor of cybernetics at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom, who became famous when he implanted RFID chips in his body for short periods between 1998 and 2002, doubts the results of the studies, and expresses astonishment that the Dow Chemical Company researchers did not publish the findings at an earlier date.

"From an ethical and medical perspective, the information surprises me and I wonder if the findings are valid," Warwick said. "The vast majority of RFID implants are contained in a hermetically sealed silicone case and there is no possible problem in terms of the materials. In practice, many animals have been carrying such implants for several years (and quite a few humans too) and so far not a single problem has been discovered."

The company VeriChip, which manufactures RFID chips that are intended for implantation in humans for medical monitoring, published a response on its website stating that "for over 15 years, millions of dogs and cats have safely carried chips implanted in their bodies, and so far only a few cases of negative reaction have been reported For the product, which is designed to save lives and was recently approved by the USDA, the chips have been widely adopted and appreciated in the veterinary community. "Veterinarians would not be instructed to implant chips in the body of pets if there was a significant fear of the development of tumors in dogs and cats."

The VeriChip company published two studies in which no connection was found between RFID implants and cancerous tumors in mice. "After the AP news was published, we found two studies conducted by our manufacturer. In the studies, the effect of chips implanted in the bodies of mice and rats was tested, and it was found that they do not cause malignant tumors," said a message published on VeriChip's website.

"We recognize our responsibility as a company to check these and other studies, and even conduct new studies if necessary, and we will do everything necessary to check any relevant information," said Scott Silverman, the chairman and CEO of VeriChip, in an interview he gave to the program "Good Morning America" , which aired last Monday on ABC News.

In a news release published by the AP news agency, it was stated that in studies published in veterinary and toxicology magazines between 1996 and 2006, it was found that mice and rats implanted with chips developed tumors under the skin in some cases. Most of the crops grew around the implants. In studies, conducted on hundreds and thousands of laboratory animals, it was found that in animals that had chips implanted in their bodies, the rate of cancer increased by a single percentage up to 10%.

In the news, AP emphasized that these results do not necessarily predict the effect of chips that will be implanted in the bodies of humans, and noted that in none of these studies was a control group of laboratory animals that were not implanted with chips tested. However, a number of cancer researchers interviewed for the news stated that these findings are enough to raise concerns about the effects of RFID implants.

Still, Warwick is not worried: "Most people are exposed to radio signals of a similar type every day - and as far as I know, no one claims that radio waves cause cancer." Warwick adds that the fact that these studies have been known for so long and yet nothing has been done raises difficult questions. "If it is true that these studies have been known since 1996, then the company Dow Kamiel and its researchers acted irresponsibly by not publishing the findings until today."

It was not possible to get a response from Dow Chemikal.