--- begin forwarded text Delivered-To: ignition-point@majordomo.pobox.com From: wtberry@sprintmail.com To: ignition-point@majordomo.pobox.com Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1998 20:07:28 -0700 MIME-Version: 1.0 Subject: IP: Microchip implants to foil VIP kidnaps Sender: owner-ignition-point@majordomo.pobox.com Precedence: list Reply-To: wtberry@sprintmail.com Source: Electronic Telegraph, Issue 1229, 6 October 1998 Microchip implants to foil VIP kidnaps By Bruce Johnston in Rome ITALIAN dignitaries who fear being kidnapped are having microprocessor homing devices planted in their bodies so police can track them down if they are abducted. The microchips - called Sky-Eyes - were originally developed for intelligence use by Israeli researchers. Rome's La Repubblica newspaper described the latest development as a "biological adaptation" of the Global Positioning System, which is already in use to protect luxury cars from being stolen. Sky-Eyes are sold by a company called Gen-Etics, which has patented the device for private use but which is cautious about supplying further details, in order to protect its clients. Sky-Eyes are said to be made of "synthetic and organic fibre". They reportedly run on such a small amount of energy that this can be "borrowed" from the human body. The chip is supposed to be invisible to both the naked eye and to X-rays. A person who carries it is supplied with an eight-digit code by the company. He, or she, is advised to divulge this only to next of kin or a trusted legal representative. In case of the person's disappearance, those in possession of the code are supposed to contact the company's control centre, so that the kidnapped victim's whereabouts may be pinpointed, and the police informed. The Sky-Eye is said to have a margin of error of just 150 yards. Kidnapping is still common in Italy. One recent victim, Giuseppe Soffiantini, an elderly northern industrialist, was wary when asked if he would buy one. At the weekend he said: "As they also know about the discovery, the kidnappers will find a counter system to use against it. They are treacherous." During his long captivity, his kidnappers cut off pieces of his ears and sent them to his family. Mr Soffiantini, was released earlier this year after a £2 million ransom was paid. He said: "But if the microchip worked, then of course I'd get one. © Copyright of Telegraph Group Limited 1998. ********************************************** To subscribe or unsubscribe, email: majordomo@majordomo.pobox.com with the message: (un)subscribe ignition-point email@address ********************************************** www.telepath.com/believer ********************************************** --- end forwarded text ----------------- Robert A. Hettinga <mailto: rah@philodox.com> Philodox Financial Technology Evangelism <http://www.philodox.com/> 44 Farquhar Street, Boston, MA 02131 USA "... however it may deserve respect for its usefulness and antiquity, [predicting the end of the world] has not been found agreeable to experience." -- Edward Gibbon, 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire'