RFID tags have caused cancer in mice. Could they do the same in humans.

Though I haven't had it done, it is quite the popular thing for people to have small RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags implanted in the backs of their dogs and cats. Should Sparkey or Fluffy ever go missing, your friendly neighborhood pound patrol person can wave a wand over the back of your beloved pet and retrieve vital information; name, owner, address, age, breed and so forth. Hopefully a tearful and heart felt reunion follows.

But a range of animal studies upon the effects of RFID tags in living tissue has raised some concerns. A great many of the studies have indicated that RFID type devices have been linked to different types of cancers in experimental animals.

Even more frightening, the US FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) has given the green light for implantation of RFID tags into humans.

To further complicate the issue, the green light go ahead for human RFID implants was brought into effect by a fellow by the name of Tommy Thompson who headed the Health and Human Services department of the FDA. Five months later when Thompson left his government job he accepted a position on the board of directors for a company that manufacturers RFID tags for human implantation. He had also accepted a substantial number of company shares in the process.

Delving into even murkier waters, it seems that no one has ever been able to see any of the health and safety studies preformed by some of the RFID manufacturing companies. But one company that manufacturers these tags to help track laboratory animals does provide extensive information as to the different types of cancers suffered by laboratory mice in the tissue surrounding the implantation site. Unfortunately, it seems that this relevant information was overlooked when all was cleared for the implanting of RFID tags into humans. Odd since mice are the primary model for cancer research in the medical, pharmaceutical and bio-tech industry.

Now the rates of cancerous infections may have been on the order or 1 to 2 percent for the mice, but a grain of rice sized glass capsule with an antenna and microchip inside seems to cause more harm than it does good.

This doesn't necessarily mean however that it's the RFID tags causing the cancer. It is common for inflamed tissue surrounding a foreign object in the body to develop cancerous cells. There have even been cases where human prosthetic implant have caused instances of cancer.

Though it is not yet known, it may simply be the implant that causes these cancers. Some implants may not cause sufficient irritation to surrounding tissues to invoke a cancerous reaction whilst others be quite prone to it.

But the real issue lies with the FDA. They should have looked at all of the relevant data in relation to the use and side-effects of RFID implants in animal and humans. And though there are few people in this world who have had RFID tags poked under their skin, they should be examined and any evidence of cancer reported. That would include the prison inmates in some US states where RFID tags have become an effective security measure.

And we all though the FDA was trying to keep us healthy.