Placing Electronic Chips on Kids: An Analysis of US Public Behavior on Preparedness

Background: Radio Frequency Identifiers (RFID) is an automatic recognition technology, used for identifying and tracking items, animals, and people. In humans, the RFID system is a memory chip implanted under the skin either in the fatty tissue below the right bicep or between the thumb and index finger. When scanned by an RFID reader, the chip is verified by sending its recognition number and unique data through radio waves. The company VeriChip has marketed this product as a lifesaving device for doctors to learn medical history for unconscious patients and as a tracking device for parents. However, parents are skeptical to implant the gadget into their children.

Method: In 2008, the National Center for Disaster Preparedness conducted a public opinion survey of the U.S. public's attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors on preparedness and asked respondents about the likelihood of using such an electronic chip. The study used a random digit dial sampling strategy to capture a representative sample of U.S. residents.

Results: Out of 1,579 respondents sampled, 39.6% responded to be likely to implant an electronic chip, 55.5% responded that they would not be likely, while only 4.9% responded that they were not sure. The liberals occupied a significantly larger proportion than the moderates and the conservatives to plant the chip. Furthermore, women supported placing the chip significantly more than men.

Conclusion: Given such findings, the U.S. family reunification and preparedness policies should reexamine broader options in its agenda to include the RFID as a possible solution for family preparedness strategy.