Microchip And Cancer

[Lex Ang]

Microchip Cancer Report

From Katherine Albrecht

[email protected]

11-20-7

CASPIAN Sets record straight after misleading claims by HomeAgain and

VeriChip implant manufacturers.

A new paper titled "Microchip-Induced Tumors in Laboratory Rodents and

Dogs: A Review of the Literature 1990­2006" has been released today by

CASPIAN. The full, 48-page paper provides a definitive review of the

academic literature showing a causal link between implanted

radio-frequency (RFID) microchip transponders and cancer in laboratory

rodents and dogs. In addition, a brief, four-page synopsis of the full

report is being made available.

Eleven articles previously published in toxicology and pathology

journals are evaluated in the report. In six of the articles, between

0.8% and 10.2% of laboratory mice and rats developed malignant tumors

around or adjacent to the microchips, and several researchers suggested

the actual tumor rate may have been higher. Two additional articles

reported microchip-related cancer in dogs.

In almost all cases, the malignant tumors, typically sarcomas, arose at

the site of the implants and grew to surround and fully encase the

devices. In several cases the tumors also metastasized or spread to

other parts of the animals.

Public revelation of a casual link between microchipping and cancer in

animals has prompted widespread public concern over the safety of

implantable microchips. The story was first broken to the public in

September through an article written by Associated Press Reporter Todd

Lewan. Prior to the AP story, the journal articles were completely

unknown outside of small academic circles.

"The AP did a superb job informing the public of the existence of these

journal articles," said Dr. Katherine Albrecht, a leading privacy expert

and long-time VeriChip opponent who authored the new paper.

"Unfortunately," Dr. Albrecht added, "a lot of misinformation about the

cancer research has circulated since Mr. Lewan's article was published.

I wrote the report to set the record straight."

The animal-microchip study findings were so compelling that one of Mr.

Lewan's sources, Dr. Robert Benezra, head of the Cancer Biology Genetics

Program at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, was

quoted as saying, "There's no way in the world, having read this

information, that I would have one of those chips implanted in my skin,

or in one of my family members."

Nevertheless, representatives of the chipping industry have made

inaccurate public statements about the research findings in an effort to

confuse the public.

Scott Silverman, CEO of the VeriChip Corporation which makes the

controversial VeriChip human implant, recently provided inaccurate

information to Time Magazine. Mr. Silverman is quoted as saying that

none of the tumors found in mice in a 2006 French study were malignant.

In fact, not only were the tumors malignant sarcomas, but most of the

afflicted animals died prematurely as a result of the

microchip-associated tumors.

In addition, Destron Fearing, makers of the HomeAgain pet implant,

dismissed a finding of fibrosarcoma--a highly lethal cancer--as 'benign'

in a recent report.

A fibrosarcoma is a type of sarcoma, a malignant tumor of soft tissue

that connects, supports or surrounds other structures and organs of the

body. Dr. Timothy Jennings, an expert on implant-induced cancers in

humans, said he was "not aware of any nosology incorporating an entity

of 'benign fibrosarcoma'" and agreed that "any tumor classified as

sarcoma should be viewed as malignant."

"Either VeriChip and the makers of HomeAgain actually don't understand

the difference between a benign fibroma and a malignant fibrosarcoma,"

noted Dr. Albrecht, "or they're deliberately lying to the public. Either

way, it's clear they can't be trusted. We hope our new report will set

the record straight."

The report includes a one- to three-page writeup on each of the original

studies. In addition to a detailed review of the academic literature,

the report contains recommendations for patients, pet owners,

veterinarians, and policy makers, including the following: (1) Further

microchipping of humans should be immediately discontinued; (2)

Implanted patients should be informed in writing of the research

findings and offered a procedure for microchip removal; and (3) Policy

makers should reverse all animal microchipping mandates.

As part of its public awareness campaign, CASPIAN will be issuing copies

of the new report to leading policy and decision makers.

The full 48-page report and four-page synopsis are also immediately

available for public download at www.antichips.com/cancer/

[felix]

I am so not surprised with this. And microchipping is compulsory in some states.

The problem is microchipping is politically correct thing to do these days, so as desexing. It is hard to go against the trend.

Cheers

[*Avanti*]

Oh dear Lex Ang. I guess we have to weigh up the pros and cons. Microchips help lots to keep a dog with their committed owner/s. The voiceless need that. They can be so vulnerable and so much need their human carer. Many die in pounds when that bond is lost.

I guess preservatives and chemicals in some food is more of a concern. Then we have to consider flea treatment, vacinations etc. Not a good argument but it all has to considered. We can only do our best to limit these hazards.