Electronic Tagging Of Humans

Dr Paul Singh

ARTICLE

The implantation of microchip in milching animals to check the misuse of bank loans and tracking the movement of wild animals by radio collars are very common now a days. But humans, in future, are also to be tagged for tracking their movements by imbedding a microchip in the body. This chip would be capable of transmitting data to a computer. The implantation technique in humans would open way to a numerous exciting applications in the field of medical sciences, bionics and human biometrics.

Dr Kelvin Warwick, Professor of Cybernetics, University of Reading, U.K., has been conducting research on artificial intelligence, control and robotics under Project Cyborg. In the first phase of project started in 1998, he got a microchip implantation in his forearm.All the neuro-signals between Dr Warwick’s brain and the body were transmitted, recorded and analysed by the computer. The signals received by a neural signal processor were digitised and then scanned on line for neural spike events. The motor neural signals detected by the array were able to move an intelligent artificial hand.

In a landmark event, scientists succeeded in moving the robot hand through on-line neural transmission.

In another experiment, the ultrasonic signals from an external source were received by Dr Warwick’s neural network and it enabled him move around a room blindfold without hitting the objects.

After three months of experimentation, no adverse effects in terms of rejection or infection were detected. The body had adapted and effectively strengthened the neural connection with tissues growing around the array and holding it firmly in place on the median nerve.

The electronic tagging of humans may provide immense applications from security and national identity management to the offender tagging. The uses of this technology are endless. It would provide a more permanent form of identification than a smart card.

In future, a silicon chip implant could provide a unique and permanent source of identification of a person, containing vast amount of data on an individual such as nationality, medical record and citizen data. This data would be retrieved easily and could be transmitted instantly to any place via internet.

In the financial sector, it would offer new ways in personal verification technology. It would help in curbing identity theft and prevent fraudulent access to banking and credit card accounts because for meeting any such transaction, the physical presence would be required.

In the fast changing world of information technology, the security is of paramount importance. In this field, the chip implant could integrate with advanced biometric devices such as retina scanners so as to enable the security managements safe access to buildings and government establishments.

In future, its use could be extended to consumer products such as cars, homes, ACs and mobile telephones.

Another important area of its use, would be in the countries where kidnapping for ransom is prevalent. The chip implant technology may provide an ideal solution.

Soon you can have a tracking chip implanted in your body. If you have lost your little baby on way to school or at the mall, the Babysitter will track his location from a jellybean-sized microchip implant discretely tucked under the collarbone.

The Constant Companion lets you keep a watchful eye on grandpa or grandma, even when you can’t be by their sides.

The Invisible Bodyguard offers you the freedom from the fear, and you can enjoy the fauna and foliage when eco-tourism takes you to kidnapping.

— The writer is Assoc. Prof. (Physics),CCS HAU, Hisar