Sarbjeet kaur

Ethics essay

Contents
INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................................2
BENEFITS OF RFID CHIP IMPLANTATION.....................................................................................3
LIMITATIONS OF THE RFID CHIP IMPLANTATION....................................................................4
Ethical Analysis of RFID chip implantation in the Human body..........................................................4
Utilitarianism.........................................................................................................................................4
Deontology..............................................................................................................................................5
Contractarianism...................................................................................................................................6
Character based.....................................................................................................................................7
ACS Code of Ethics...............................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................................................8
RECOMMENDATIONS..........................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................9

ABSTRACT
In this ethical essay, an ethical dilemma of implanting RFID chips in human bodies has been
discussed with the reference of four ethical theories along with ACS code of ethics and modern
approach of ethics theory. An ethical analysis has been done to complete the essay. This essay
includes the brief introduction about RFID along with its benefits and limitations. Each theory
has been discussed by taking care of the given dilemma. In the end of this essay a set of
recommendations has been also given for the betterment in the context of implementing RFID
chips in human beings.

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Ethics essay

INTRODUCTION
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) refers to a small electronic device that enclose little chip
and a radio wire. The chip commonly
is able for conveying 2,000 bytes of
information. These devices works in
the same manner as a bar code or a
magnetic strips behind the ATM or
credit card do. Radio-Frequency
Identification (RFID) chip technology
is in operation from last 2 or 3
decades. RFID chips are used to
collect the information about the items
and also to track the items attached to
them.

Figure 1: RFID implantation in humans (G. Grider, 2012)

These RFID devices provide a specific identification for the specific object. Moreover, like a bar
code and the magnetic strips, RFID devices also need to scan to retrieve the exact information
for the object. Mainly the five components are consisted by RFID like, application software,
antenna, tags, reader and communication infrastructure. This technology is used in various fields
like in transport, health care centers, administration and passports etc. To use RFID in
organization, it requires wireless network for that specific building.

In the modern scenario, the most recent applications of RFID chips are implanting these chips
into animals and eventually into human bodies. RFID innovation has the capacity to both
incredibly upgrade and protect the lives of buyers, furthermore change the way organizations
work together. As the most adaptable auto-distinguishing proof innovation, RFID is used to track
and check the physical world consequently, with exactness. RFID tells about the object, its place,
and its condition, which is the reason it is vital to the advancement of the Internet of Things—an
all international interrelated net of articles permitting the physical world itself to turn into a data
framework, consequently sensing what is occurring, offering related information, and reacting.
RFID technology is growing quickly with the capacity to "tag" anything with a modest

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correspondences chip and afterward examine that tag by the reader. (A. and K. Michael. 2007)
Supporters of implementing RFID chips in humans claim that there are several pros to persons
and societies which includes provision of ready access to health and medical facts, the capability
to detect missing persons, and the skill to track and observe the actions of offenders or persons of
interest such as terrorist etc. on the other hand some people are in the opinion of that, applying
these tools in humans are threat to security of information and confidentiality fears. In this essay,
the consequences of implementing of RFID chips in human being have been discussed with the
concerns of ethically acceptance and accuracy according to the ethical theories.

Figure 2: RFID chip (J. Browne, 2003)

BENEFITS OF RFID CHIP IMPLANTATION

There are numbers of benefits of RFID implantation in the context of saving time and avoiding
theft concerns. The technology of implanting RFID offers abundant benefits to the world
specifically in the medical field. RFID implantation provides an identification to an individual or
a patient. This technique provides more accessibility and control over the credit cards with a
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security from theft. It does not required to learn the passwords of the bank cards and make it
more secure as the chips are embedded into the human bodies. . (A. Afzaal, 2013)

LIMITATIONS OF THE RFID CHIP IMPLANTATION

On the other hand, with lots of advantages RIFD also have numbers of disadvantages as every
technology has is pros and cons. This technology has many issues related to the surveillances,
tracking over an individual and also to the safety of information being provided inti the chips.
Someone can also arise an issue in regards of a patient’s health by monitoring the all details.
There is the possibility of intrusion of other wireless devices with the chips and also the danger
of virus through the hacktivists, who can trace all the sensitive information from a suspect. The
elimination of the RFID chip from a person’s body may cause a severe pain as well. The
technology cannot be trustworthy in some context. . (A. Afzaal, 2013)

Ethical Analysis of RFID chip implantation in the Human body

The ethical analysis to RFID chip implantation in the body of human being might differ from a
person to person or from one ethical theory to another. The theory based analysis may be differ
as on one side it seems to be ethical but on the other side it may not be. RFID chip implantation
can have its pros and cons depending on the situation and its dealing with the privacy and
security of information concerns. To do an ethical analysis for RFID implantation, there are
ethical theories and ACS code of conduct which must be taken under consideration in the context
of ethical dilemma given in the assignment specification i.e.

Is the implanting of RFID chips into humans appropriate?

Utilitarianism
Introduction: This ethical theory is usually known as the consequence based theory. It is based
on the utmost benefit for the greater number of people. The end result as an additional
authentication of whole behavior of an individual is considered in an acceptable manner. An act
is measured ethically satisfactory and precise if its outcome revenues in happiness and on the flip

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side, it may be measured as unacceptable if its end consequences are unhappy. According to the
ethical acceptance the action of an individual may be ranked on the behalf of his/her good or bad
influence on that action. In other words it can be said that, if the more people are happy with the
end results then the whole situation or act may be measured as good or ethical but if majority of
people is unhappy then the act is not worthy for the society.

Discussion: According to the consequence based theory of ethics, the majority of the people may
be have issues regarding their privacy while implanting the RFID chips in their bodies. The loss
of privacy may be far counterweights the safety that an individual may get by this technology.
(P. Liao, A. Smith, and C. Wang, 2007). Although, RFID chip implantation may provide a lot of
benefits in regards to health, safety and betterment of the people but the privacy concerns may
always the key issues with this technology.

Deontology
Introduction: This ethical theory commonly states as the duty based theory. The theory is based
on the duties and responsibilities which are to be performed under a specific setup. This setup
includes the standards which are anticipated to be performed and followed by the individuals.
This theory gives an idea of taking any action according to the given set of norms which are
acceptable only if the person indulged into the duties said to be followed. Deontology theory also
based on the perception of principles. It does not deal with the end results of happiness as
explained in utilitarianism theory. This theory only deals with the exclusive duty of a person
which he/she has to be accomplish in regards to the allocated duties regardless of any other fact.
In contrast of the proportionality that arises out of the utility principle, the definite authoritative
yields only rules.

Discussion: According to the Deontology theory of ethics, it is important to accomplish the

assign task in regards to the planned standards. In the case of RFID chip implantation in human
beings, it is necessary to follow the given standards by the individuals. Since, the acceptance of

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the implantation of RFID chips may be considered if there is the necessity of being tracked and
for safety issues. For example, in a hospital it might be the task to track the patients especially
the Alzheimer’s patients. Additionally to track the terrorist suspects while migrating to a country
to look upon the activities of the criminals.

Contractarianism
Introduction: The contractarianism is usually mentioned as the ethical theory based on rights. In
the other words, it is also named as social contract theory as it is based on the social contract in
the majorly and also followed by the legal contract. The social contract may be define as laws
and rights which is made up to form a sustainable society by combining both rights and laws. In
this theory the fundamentals are based on the social agreements which are made by the people in
a society and also show its impact by bounding the people and society together. The basic
property of contractarianism theory is the self-centeredness of each and every person that rises a
wish in his/her to do the most beneficial things for themselves. The other name of this theory can
be given as a political theory because it deals with the desires of the people as they choose the
things for their benefits regardless of the end results for them and also for the people who are in
contact with them. It additionally has two scopes named as:

 Legal contract
 Social contract

Discussion: Based upon the two contracts in the theory of contractarianism i.e. legal and social,
the implantation of RFID chips in human being might be different. Since, in the legal contract,
the implantation is based on the safety and authentication of an individual. So, legally it is
acceptable to have the right of implantation of chips in human bodies if government has made
some laws in regards to the safety and convenience of the citizens of that particular country
regardless of asking to the citizens about the right and wrong in the context of morals. On the
other hand, according to the social contract, the ethical behavior becomes the key principle.
Since, it implies that if one person is against the implantation of the RFID chips then the other
person cannot force his/her to do that thing, unless the desire of the person.

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Character based
Introduction: character based theory is defines as the moral qualities of a person and the virtue
by which he/she behaves and perform tasks for his own benefit as well as for the sake of whole
society where he/she survives. These moral values and virtue are learned by an individual over a
span of time where he/she decides to choose good moral values and apply these moral values in
real life to perform some good deeds for the society as well. There are some duties that all
individuals have to do in an order and also to follow them for the virtue of the society. The moral
behavior of a person is also depend upon the spiritual and the cultural characteristic which play a
key role to develop the ethical personality of a person.

Discussion: on the basis of the character based theory of ethics, the implantation of RFID chips
in human beings must be in the goodwill of the society. Though, there are some privacy and theft
concerns related to the implantation of the chips but if a person have the moral values then
he/she may not indulged in criminal activities such as hacking, misuse of the sensitive
information and abusing the patients, which may cause not only the personal loos but also affect
the society. Therefore, a person should work for the benefit of whole society in the ethical
manner.

ACS Code of Ethics

Information: The Australian Computer Society (ACS) has made some codes of ethics which are
essential for a professional to be followed. These codes include the ethical behavior of a good
citizen along with performing within the law (ACS, 2015). For a professional the ACS codes in
regards to the RFID implantation of chips in humans, has to considered the rules such as

 The enhancement of quality of life

 Honesty

Discussion: In the context of the enhancement of the quality of life, the implantation of RFID
chips may be in the favor of the individuals’ betterment of life. Since RFID chips may offer
benefit by saving the time and giving the identification to an individual also provide convenience
in buying and selling products along with tracing the criminal suspects to avoid the misshaping
in the society. Ultimately it may raise the level of life of all individuals. (ACS, 2015)

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On the other hand, there must be the value of honesty while storing the sensitive information of a
person on the chip. The person should have the right to know about the percentage of his/her
information being used by the authorities which must be in regards of their consent. (ACS, 2015)

CONCLUSION
In this report, the discussion of an ethical dilemma has been done in relation to an ethical
analysis of ethical theories. Each theory has its own aspect which may differ in another theory.
Moreover, every theory has its importance in regards to the morals, principles that every
individual should follow for a sustainable life. Additionally, what is right in one theory may be
cited wrong into another one or vice versa. The ethical dilemma of implementing the RFID chips
into the human being is appropriate or not has been justified with the help of these theories. Also,
the ACS code of ethics have been deliberated including the moral values for a professional to be
followed. Although, the use of RFID chips in human bodies may be acceptable by some
supporters but there are equal negative support has been seen from the opponents.

RECOMMENDATIONS
The recommendations for the implementation of RFID chips into the humans in regards to the
ethical dilemma of it appropriate implementation or not has been explained with the help of
modern approach theory. Modern approach theory tells about the moral act of a person which are
characterized into three straightforward fundamentals that include the standards that assured a
person to perform in a certain way. The fundamentals of the modern approach theory are

 The approval for consequences

 Dependable functions of principles
 A caring character

The approval for the consequences is based on the fact that without considering the end results of
an act, the happiness cannot be gained since there must be a system to check and balance the
implemented technology to maintain the likelihood of it. (P. Liao, A. Smith, and C. Wang,
2007).

The rules must be in the favor of public as there should be the chances of breaches and danger to
the privacy of an individual. Moreover, a set of rule must be applied to which follow the norms
and morals in regards to the chip implantation. Every individual should have his/her right to
maintain the privacy to an extent which can make it more comfortable for the individual to live
his/her life without any stress.
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REFERENCES
Afzaal (MAY 24, 2013): Micro-Chip Implant: Would you get one? DE MONTFORT
UNIVERSITY, Leicester, UK p-4

P. Liao, A. Smith, and C. Wang (March 2007): Convenience and Safety vs. Privacy: The Ethics
of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). Pdf.pg-4 retrieved on 27 April 2015 from

http://www.ethicapublishing.com/confronting/5CH13.pdf

G. Grider, (June 2012): RFID chip implantation for human use being developed and debate right
now; journal article retrieved on 27 April 2015 from

http://www.nowtheendbegins.com/blog/?p=10248

J. Browne (Dec, 2003): Read/Write RFID chips boast large memory; journal article retrieved on
28 April 2015 from

http://mwrf.com/semiconductor/readwrite-rfid-chips-boast-large-memory

J. Browne (Dec, 2003): Read/Write RFID chips boast large memory; journal article retrieved on
28 April 2015 from

http://mwrf.com/site-files/mwrf.com/files/archive/mwrf.com/Files/30/6995/Figure_01.jpg

A. and K. Michael (2007). "Lend Me Your Arms: the Use and Implications of Human centric
RFID." Electronic Commerce Research and Applications 6(1): 29-39.

What is RFID retrieved on 27 April 2015 from http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/technology-

article.asp

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RFID technology primer retrieved on 27 April 2015 from

http://www.impinj.com/resources/about-rfid/

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