Metro Spirit national security blog

A Toronto Star op-ed contemplates the "chipping" of citizens, and outlines how it might happen within a single generation:

"Employers will start to expect implants as a condition of getting a job. The U.S. military will lead the way, requiring chips for all soldiers as a means to enhance battlefield command and control — and to identify human remains. ...

"[An] unfortunately common tragedy of modern life will occur: A small child, likely a photogenic toddler, will be murdered or horrifically abused. It will happen in one of the media capitals of the Western world, thereby ensuring non-stop breathless coverage. Chip manufactures will recognize this as the opportunity they have been anticipating for years. With their technology now largely bug-free, familiar to most citizens and comparatively inexpensive, manufacturers will partner with the police to launch a high-profile campaign encouraging parents to implant their children 'to ensure your own peace of mind.'"

The author, Kevin Haggerty, has clearly spent a lot of time thinking about this.

Any rebuttals?

I'm still trying to think of one. All I can think of is that it's more likely that RFID tags will soon be so widespread in consumer goods, like clothing and cell phones, that it won't be necessary to actually plant microchips under the skin.