Digital Angel or Digital Devil?
Pass the Microchips Please
By Phil Dobson
01- 11-02
"He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." --The Bible, Revelation 13:16-17
This past July Digital Angel, a subsidiary of the Palm Beach, Florida-based Applied Digital Solutions (ADS), was to begin human testing of an implant capable of allowing users to emit a homing beacon, have vital bodily functions monitored and confirm identity when making e-commerce transactions. It's nothing new really; the same technology has been used on livestock and salmon for several years and more recently, pets.
The "VeriChip," a microchip the size of a grain of rice is injected under the skin and can be scanned and read. An ADS consultant, Dr. Richard Seelig, who injected himself in the forearm and right leg five days after the terrorist attacks on September 11th said, "There's no deformity of the skin" and that, "I feel just the same as I did before."
Last month Dr. Seelig and the chief scientist for development of the chip and president of Digital Angel Dr. Peter Zhou were on most of the major talk shows touting their new product. When asked about the above Biblical quote Dr. Zhou responded, "I'm a Christian. There are a lot of interpretations of the Bible. My interpretation is, anything to improve the quality of life is from God."
With the event of 9-11, the security aspect of an implanted chip makes it much more desirable. The public at large has become open to new ideas and this chip is it the ultimate ID. As Keith Bolton, ADS's chief technology officer said, "The bottom line is, when people are trying to regain their peace of mind, they're more open to new approaches."
For several years ADS has marketed a monitoring bracelet for Alzheimer patients so medical staff could use global positioning satellite (GPS) systems to find those who have wandered off. Now they see a market for those with artificial organs and limbs. Up to 60 words of medical information could be implanted on the chips.
FDA approval for these chips is expected by midyear and the company has already received permission from the FCC for the radio frequencies used by the chips. Overseas approval is not necessary and ADS expects to start selling them in South America in the next several months.
Chris Gray, associate professor of computer science at the University of Great Falls in Montana and author of "The Cyborg Citizen" said, "I'd be shocked if within 10 years you couldn't get a chip implanted that would unlock your house, start your car and give you money."
While many Christians believe that this technology, coupled with the United Nations drive for a "New World Order""are the signal of the beginning of the end, society at large is warming to the idea. Only time will tell if this indeed is the sign of the Beast.
You may send comments to Phil at dobson@madcrazy.com
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