AVMA Weighs in on Microchip-Tumor Reports
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is very concerned about press reports and studies linking microchips commonly implanted in cats and dogs to cancer in dogs and laboratory animals.
October 3, 2007
In a Sept. 13 statement posted online, the AVMA said staff and member veterinarians are actively looking into the potential for electronic identification implants to induce tumors in dogs, cats, or people but must await more definitive data and test results before taking further action.
Considering how a large number of pets have been implanted with microchips with a relatively small number of confirmed cases of tumors associated with microchips, the AVMA advises against a rush to judgment on the technology.
In fact, there is a concern among veterinary medical researchers that some of the research into supposed chip-induced tumors may be flawed, because the animals used were genetically predisposed to cancer. In addition, removal of the chip is a more invasive procedure and not without potential complications.
The AVMA says it’s clear a need exists for more scientific research into microchip technology.
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