Remote controls change channels, fire up contraception?

Berit Anderson

Berit Anderson Jul 6, 2025

Feb 6, 2018

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                <h1>Remote controls change channels, fire up contraception?</h1>
                <h2><p>Almost anything can be activated by a remote control nowadays … drones, security systems and, now, birth control. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is funding trials for a birth control microchip that lasts for up to 16 years. The device, developed by Massachusetts-based company MicroCHIPS, can be implanted under the</p></h2>
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               <p>By <a href="/author/berit-anderson-crosscut-com/">Berit Anderson</a></p> 
              <p><time datetime="2025-02-04T05:00:00-08:00">Feb 6, 2018</time></p>
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            <p>Almost anything can be activated by a remote control nowadays … drones, security systems and, now, birth control. The Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation is funding trials for a birth control microchip that lasts for up to 16 years. The device, developed by Massachusetts-based company MicroCHIPS, can be implanted under the skin of the buttocks, upper arm or abdomen, according to<a href="http://www.technologyreview.com/news/528121/a-contraceptive-implant-with-remote-control/?ref=dev.cascadepbs.org"> a MIT Technology Review report</a>, and may be activated or deactivated by a remote control if a woman decides she'd like to conceive. But nothing’s a simple fix: Researchers are still trying to figure out how to keep the chips’ wireless data flow from becoming the prey of hackers, who could be anyone from strangers to controlling partners. — E.W.</p>
          </article>

Almost anything can be activated by a remote control nowadays … drones, security systems and, now, birth control. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is funding trials for a birth control microchip that lasts for up to 16 years. The device, developed by Massachusetts-based company MicroCHIPS, can be implanted under the skin of the buttocks, upper arm or abdomen, according to a MIT Technology Review report, and may be activated or deactivated by a remote control if a woman decides she'd like to conceive. But nothing’s a simple fix: Researchers are still trying to figure out how to keep the chips’ wireless data flow from becoming the prey of hackers, who could be anyone from strangers to controlling partners. — E.W.

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By Berit Anderson

Berit Anderson was Managing Editor at Crosscut, following tech, culture, media and politics. She founded Crosscut's Community Idea Lab.   Previously community manager of the Tribune Company’