Instant history

Microchips were implanted into the backs of eight people with severe medical conditions in Florida last week. The chips, each the size of a grain of rice, store medical histories and will help paramedics treat the “chipees” more quickly and effectively if they fall ill. They were developed by Florida-based Applied Digital Solutions. Medics in Palm Beach hospitals will use a handheld scanner to retrieve the information. The recipients include a patient with Parkinson’s disease and one with severe allergies.