IMPLANTABLE MICROCHIP STRIKES A CHORD IN MEXICO

More news of the linkage between technology and humans. I'm not sure if these are advances or ...? Someday we'll figure out the privacy implications, advantages of the technology, etc. Untill then these types of news releases will cause concern on the privacy front, wonder for the technocrats, and mild amusement for everyone else.


"IMPLANTABLE MICROCHIP STRIKES A CHORD IN MEXICO

Palm Beach, Fla.-based Applied Digital Solutions, maker of the implantable VeriChip, is targeting consumers south of the border, where people see the tiny devices as a possible new way to thwart crime. The microchips, which are available in the U.S. as well, are implanted under the skin and can be used to link to information on identity, blood type and other information housed on a central computer. In Mexico, citizens hope the tiny devices could prove one more weapon in the arsenal needed to combat a rising wave of kidnappings, robberies and other crimes. The Mexican company in charge of distribution says it hopes to implant 10,000 chips in the first year and ensure that 70% of all hospitals contain the technology necessary to read the chips. Company officials say they are working on developing a similar technology that would use satellites to locate people who've been kidnapped, an application that is popular with Mexicans, but has raised privacy concerns in the U.S. (AP 18 Jul 2003) "
Source: NewsScan Daily: July 18, 2003