VeriChip is an injectable identification chip that can be inserted under the skin of a human being to provide biometric verification. VeriChip, manufactured by Applied Digital VeriChip is an inert, encapsulated microchip that is energized and transmits its information when activated by a VeriChip reader. Because VeriChip is so small (about the size of a pen point) it is virtually undetectable and practically indestructible once inserted under your skin. The chip has a special polyethylene sheath that helps skin bond to it, so it stays in place. Since the chip has no battery, there are no chemicals to worry about and the chip never "runs down"; its expected life is up to 20 years. The chip is inserted just under the skin in the fleshy part (underneath portion) of your upper arm. The special VeriChip inserter and chip are preassembled and sterilized for your safety. The inserter is thrown away afterward. There is very little discomfort, less than "getting a shot, implanted through an injection during an outpatient procedure; requiring only local anesthesia, a tiny incision and perhaps a small adhesive bandage. It contains information about the patient's medical history which can then be obtained by passing an eternal scanner across the area of skin where the VeriChip has been inserted. This identification number is transmitted to an FDA compliant secure data storage site via the telephone or internet and the medical information is then provided, helping the medical professional.
VeriChip was originally intended to function in much the same way a medical alert bracelet does by giving medical personnel life-saving information about a patient's history. Its potential use has been extended in recent months, however, and it is now expected to be used for security, as well as medical, purposes. The VeriChip location technology would locate kidnap victims (especially children) and rescued them, shortly after their abduction.
