What's the Matter? Chip in Your Shoulder?

Despite what doomsday profits (yes, I spelled that correctly) Tim LaHaye and Jack Van Impe might say, radio frequency identification (RFID) chips are not the "mark of the beast." But that doesn't make this any more appealing:

Doctors back plan to store medical info under your skin

CHICAGO (AFP) - Doctors could soon be storing essential medical information under the skin of their patients, the American Medical Association says.

Devices the size of a grain of rice that are implanted with a needle could give emergency room doctors quick access to the records of chronically ill patients, the nation's largest doctors group said in a report.

The association adopted a policy Monday stating that the devices can improve the "safety and efficiency of patient care" by helping to identify patients and enabling secure access to clinical information. ...

Now, take a look at this last bit:

... The association warned of "potential social consequences" such as using the devices for surveillance which could be an infringement on individual liberties.

It recommended that the devices not be implanted without the informed consent of patients and that doctors monitor their use.

Obtaining someone's permission before implanting one of these things is merely a recommendation of the AMA?

"Hey, doc, what's really in that syringe you're holding?"