'Kingsman: The Secret Service' was the top-grossing film of the first half of this year with more than 6 million viewers. The storyline of the movie is a spy action movie.  Villains put tiny chips in the world’s conglomerates’ necks so they can control people and their emotions. The notable thing in this movie is the use of microchips. Also, such a microchip is a kind of biochip. Let’s figure out what this is.
  A biochip is a performance chip which interacts with the human body by means of bio signals from nerves. A biochip is known as a VeriChip in America. VeriChip is the acronym for verification chip. This is a microchip grafted into a body for verifying a person. This chip is covered with a silicone glass tube. A VeriChip is only as big as a grain of rice, and it contains 126 information letters and electronic coils, which are for data transmission. People can insert the microchips, which contain the users’ DNA information, into their bodies by injection. Also, the chip’s data can be read by using an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)-enabled scanner.
  The first reason for using a VeriChip is the same as wearing a medical bracelet, but now it is also being used for security. The most common purpose of a VeriChip is to identify the user’s personal information quickly and to help with corporate security. A VeriChip is usually used for identification in companies when employees enter the office or a restricted area. Fingerprint recognition or ID cards were used for checking identifications in the past, but now those methods are decreasing due to the VeriChip.
  There is a company using the VeriChip now. It is the high tech company Epicenter in Stockholm, Sweden. Epicenter employees inserted chips into their hand. The chips have the employees’ personal information. They can open the door and operate copy machines by using their hands. About 400 employees of Epicenter have already inserted the chips.
  Are there only strengths for using VeriChip? The chip has both strengths and weaknesses. Most disconcerting in this regard is identity theft. The chip has all of their private information. The illegal release of personal information could not only infringe on the privacy of individuals but also cause irrevocable damage to them. 
  As described, using a VeriChip has a variety of advantages. However, they will need extra care for using the VeriChip. We should use VeriChips only for people who really need them. For example, it is useful for patients who need care all of the time. When a patient falls ill and goes to hospital, doctors will know his medical record and prescribed pills. Does a VeriChip create more convenience or more anxiety?

By Choi Ji-su
js36@cbnu.ac.kr