Hidden Nook
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Friday, August 12, 2005
Former Bush Secretary Endorses Verichip
[Media Source*] (Hat Tip: Slashdot, Cross Posted on Blogger News)
(Red Nova) President Bush's former health secretary Tommy Thompson is putting the final touches to a plan that could result in US citizens having a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip inserted under their skin, The Business has learned.
The RFID capsules would be linked to a computerised database being created by the US Department of Health to store and manage the nation's health records. It could be the precursor to a similar scheme in the UK.
It is probably a good thing that Tommy Thompson (Director of Applied Digital Solutions) is no longer within the President's circle as this would no doubt add to the conspiracy theories that already surround Mr. Bush. Although the idea is noble as the Verichip would undoubtedly save lives, many people would probably oppose this idea either on religious grounds or fear of Uncle Sam turning into "big brother."
"There is a vast range of people who could benefit from having an RFID chip inserted under their skin as insurance against an accident. People with adverse reactions to certain medicines such as penicillin, people with pacemakers, people with allergies, people with weak hearts, would be made safer by a process that costs around $200 per person. In fact, virtually everyone could benefit from having a chip inserted." [VeriChip spokesman John Procter]
Despite all of the objections, Mr. Procter does have a convincing argument as approximately 98,000 people die annually because of being treated with the wrong medicine. With this in mind, the company is not only lobbying in the states but also in the United Kingdom as well. The new data chip also doubles as an "ID credit card" as many businesses have already used to for customers who like the ease (as well as flexibility) to move about their affairs without long lines.Although the Verichip already has increasing usage in places like Spain and the Netherlands, unless there is a voluntary choice is given to the patients as well as the citizens then there should be no reason to worry about governmental intrusion into the lives of private citizens. It seems to be Mr. Thompson's dream to have American citizens using the chip as a means of security in a world seemingly full of terror. Despite the useful technology of this device, it is unrealistic that most people would willingly implant such a device, since it may harbor similarities with "the mark of the beast."
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By Darnell Clayton ⢠10:03 PM ⢠Email Post ⢠â¢
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