Not long ago, the world heard the news that chip implants had been invented. These devices are about the size of a grain of rice and can automatically transmit information about you when near a chip implant reader. Although there could be many good uses of these chips, it is not the good uses that people are concerned about.

Many stores are now using RFID's (Radio-frequency identification) in their products, and produce fabulous and very quick results for inventory and shipping purposes. It has gone beyond product identification though, and the technology has been put into a chip that can be implanted in either animals or humans. Animals are also being given chip implants and it makes it very easy to identify a lost dog or cat, and are also used to identify cattle, too.

RFID's were initially an inch or two square, and could be read by a reader at a distance of less than a foot. Only basic data could be put on the RFID memory, though, in its earlier stages. Now these chips have progressed and can both be read from many feet away and hold a lot more memory. They now can use 128-bit encryption and are almost so small that they cannot be seen - just 0.15 mm - not including the antenna. Some of these devices are entirely passive and work only when exposed to the right coded frequency. Then, they use that transmitted power to respond and send data back automatically to the transmitter.

These RFID chips have now been made so that they can be implanted in either humans or animals. Already widely being used in animals with success, these chip implants contain information about who they belong to, an address and other contact information.

The main objection to these chip implants is that it poses a two-fold threat. These are:

They could allow an individual's whereabouts to be tracked anywhere - and constantly.

They could enable anyone with a handheld RFID reader to steal and collect personal data from anyone with a chip.

Plans already exist, or are at least being discussed, as to how these chip implants can increase security around the United States. There are discussions and serious talk in government circles about how they could be used to track illegal immigrants, the elderly, and the military. Other groups could also be among the first to be mandated to receive the chip implants, too. Passports are now using RFID technology.

While there are some obvious potential benefits in the case of, say, knowing where an elderly person is if they have Alzheimer's and like to take unattended long walks. Or, in the case of the military, if a soldier dies, then the body can be identified, or, if kidnapped, then they could rather easily be found. The problems, however, with the possibilities of invasion of privacy and identity theft could almost be staggering. An individual would be trackable anywhere he or she went. This is definitely Big Brother's greatest dream come true. Ideally, those who want the system are saying, it would greatly cut down on the need to carry either cash or credit cards. All you would need to do is to wave your hand and financial transactions can be quickly made.

Problems, however, are beginning to crop up that could delay the chip implants - at least for now. Just in the past couple of months, it was discovered that RFID chips implanted in animals have given sudden rise to tumors in their vicinity. In the interim, before they solve this problem, it would be a good time to talking to your senator or Congressman to stop legislation that may even now be in the works. Of course, if it cannot be resolved, it is possible that a mark in the forehead or right hand will do.