Contraception By Remote Control? Implantable Chip Nears Trials

In the not-too-distant future, an implanted microchip could be the best form of birth control. Backed by the Bill & Miranda Gates Foundation Family Planning program, MicroCHIPS is starting pre-clinical testing of a new wireless device that delivers 30 micrograms of levonorgestrel — a synthetic hormone used in many contraceptives — every day for up to 16 years. That is far longer than any intrauterine device (IUD) on the market. (Copper IUDs can last for 10 years, while hormonal ones last for about five years). The chip even comes with a remote control, which lets women turn it off and on again with the press of a button. It’s not quite ready for the widespread human use yet; researchers are still working out how to encrypt the chips, important in preventing hackers from seriously upsetting someone’s life plans. If all goes according to plan, the company hopes the device will become available by 2018, and the technology could be adapted to deliver a number of other drugs as well.

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For Subscribers

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCBP leaders cut out of Trump ad buy decision

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAmerican passenger drafted goodbye texts to her family as Flydubai plane plummeted

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCornell rape allegation pushes embattled New York prosecutor into national spotlight

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAbdul El-Sayed tries to woo MAHA voters as Democrats seek inroads with RFK’s supporters

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKratom-like substances are popping up in a typically benign supplement

FOR SUBSCRIBERSGOP super PAC increases its spending for Sen. Jon Husted in tough Ohio race

FOR SUBSCRIBERSRecords reveal tumultuous marriage between slain New York Times executive and wife

FOR SUBSCRIBERSFrom clean energy warrior to ‘wall of shame,’ James Talarico reverses on a fossil fuel money pledge

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCongressional staff planned official trip with luxury stops in Italy and France weeks before election

FOR SUBSCRIBERSA harrowing ordeal aboard an Israel-bound plane

FOR SUBSCRIBERSOpenAI CEO Sam Altman to skip congressional hearing on rogue AI agents

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKey DOJ lawyers departed Trump ‘grand conspiracy’ probe amid pressure to produce, source says

FOR SUBSCRIBERSTrump’s new AI chatbot often links to a site launched under Clinton 26 years ago

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAt MAHA summit, industry CEOs the movement once vilified take the stage

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- Keith Wagstaff