Tommy Thompson Loves Implantable Microchips: Sci-Fi Horror Movie Becomes Reality

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Information Liberation ^

[Love_For_Freedom]

Has anybody else been wondering what former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson has been up to since he left his position as U.S. secretary of health and human services earlier this year? It turns out he assumed a position as a director of VeriChip Corp., a division of Florida-based Applied Digital and a leading developer of human implanted microchip technology, also known as radio-frequency identification.

Such devices have been used for years to help identify pets that are lost or otherwise separated from their owners. All the animal shelter needs to do is scan the pet. The microchip will reveal a code that can be used to locate the owner and -presto! - Fido is reunited with his grateful human family.

But what about more important lost (or kidnapped) souls, such as children or wandering Alzheimer's patients?

It isn't much of a leap to see how corporations might be motivated (by profit, of course) to develop attractive human applications for this technology.

Already, VeriChip is marketing the implants to people for medical "peace of mind." It seems the chips can provide access to a patient's medical records in case of an emergency.

In Spain, a nightclub is offering microchips that function as sort of implanted ATMs; patrons can pay for cover charges and drinks simply by passing their arms under a scanner.

Using global positioning systems, the possibility exists that people with implanted chips could be tracked and located. (Useful if one is lost or for convicts on the lam, but who wants to feel like a perpetually endangered species wearing the human equivalent of a radio collar?)

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[HisKingdomWillAbolishSinDeath]

Give me liberty or give me death, but don't ever try to stick a slave monitor under mine skin.

[freespirited]

Sorry, I just dont have a problem putting these in violent child molesters.

[TheCrusader]

"But what about more important lost (or kidnapped) souls, such as children or wandering Alzheimer's patients?"

Another great scientific development. Soon there will be TWO great powers who know exactly where everybody is at all times, government and God.

Then capitalism will ensure the device will become commercialized, just like the computer industry personalized computers and the internet. Then even more wonderful things will occur as everyone gets their very own chip implant. We will ALL know where everyone else is at all times. With a little push of a button on our Friendly Family Locater wristband we will know precisely where our children are, exactly where our wives and husbands are, our employees, our friends, our enemies and our neighbors.

I sincerely hope I'm not around to "enjoy" this great invention.

[Free Vulcan]

'In Spain, a nightclub is offering microchips that function as sort of implanted ATMs; patrons can pay for cover charges and drinks simply by passing their arms under a scanner.'

Good news all! The forehead implant option coming soon!

Revelation coming true before my eyes.

[Salamander]

If they're wired to high tension lines, neither do I.

[Jaysun]

I don't read that much into this as far as Thompson goes. It could have just been a good opportunity for him, and doesn't necessarily mean that he wants to give us all the mark of the beast.

Rumsfeld headed up a drug company about 30 years ago and it ended up making him a millionaire, but few would argue that he's still pushing dope. I think a lot of these guys get hired because of their connections and the perceived benefits that such connections would bring to the company..