There are many existing doubts about RFID tagging, such as possible breach of privacy. Now there's another grave possibility looming over the high-tech technology that is RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), and that is the likelihood of RFID implants causing cancer.

A few years ago, the US. Food and Drug Administration approved the practice of implanting RFID tags in humans after finding the RFID tags "reasonably safe", and brought about much-needed innovation to medical science (one of which is letting doctors access medical records instantaneously).

However, a number of veterinary and toxicology studies revealed that the implants actually caused malignant tumors in laboratory mice and rats. The cause? Keith Johnson, a retired toxicologic pathologist, said that the culprit is the RFID's transponder device used to send data.

The news disturbed even the leading cancer specialists, with some encouraging others to practice further caution before the glass transponder implants become an easily accessible commodity. Other specialists even claimed that they would not let allow family members to have RFID tags implanted in their bodies.

"We stand by our implantable products which have been approved by the FDA and/or other U.S. regulatory authorities," said Scott Silverman, CEO of VeriChip, one of the leading RFID manufacturers. He continued that they were not aware of studies that resulted in malignant tumors in laboratory animals that were brought about by the implants.


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[Via Associated Press]