Scientists are developing micro chips that can be implanted under the patient’s skin to control the release of drugs; activated by a remote control!

Any thoughts - I’d be a little concerned that something goes wrong and it releases an overdose.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17050551

Two ways of lookng at this, yes it could go wrong but consider a person with sever mental problems, this could ensure they have thier meds regular and also could have incorporated a sedative so if anything goes wrong they could be sedated in safety, also add to this the issue of sex offenders, they could be released after a certain time on condition they have one of these to give out the sexua urge suppressant or chemical castration as it is called.

I totally agree with Ms. LadyCaz
Not only people with mental problems, but the elderly people have alot of problems just remembering their meds.  Of course, the sons and daughters (normally daughters) quite often are Mom and Dad’s care takers and must help them keep track of meds.

About the sex offenders, I now agree 5 million percent with Ms. LC, ANYTHING that could help to eliminate this problem would be
most likely the best invention in history.

You right guys, I wasn’t seeing further than my nose!!! The benefits are vast. It certainly opens the way as far as sex offenders are concerned.

Those are good points you’ve made Caz, the article also mentioned pain management, I wonder if something like this might be effective in possibly keeping people from over medicating and abusing pain meds, thus leading to addiction.

Could be beneficial there too Kam I would imagine….there is the ability to pre-schedule the doses.

Reminds me of the self-administering medication switch they sometimes give you in hospitals. Hopefully this new invention will have similar safeguards to prevent overdoses!!

I read the article and while the potential applications for such a device are far-reaching, I also would be concerned about malfunctions. Under-dosing can be as bad as over-dosing and what happens if the containment pouch (whatever) for the medication leaked somehow? Breast implants leak all the time and granted, I don’t expect them to be made out of silicone, it’s an example.

I wonder how much something like this would cost?

For those with dementia, bipolar, epilepsy, those wanting contraception but with the ability for it to stop, it would be a brilliant idea. Chemical castration, as I believe was alluded to. Very good.