Daily WATCH! Volume 2 Issue 44, Friday, March 1, 2002
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TECHNOLOGY CREEP
By Randy Loudenslager
Technology creep and other terminology is being used by ethicists to describe the implementation and subsequent uses for new technologies. The name refers to the pattern that often occurs when new developments are made public. The designers, engineers and inventors begin work on what usually starts out as a harmless and even beneficial idea. The new technology once completed is handed off to public relations who presents this gift to the public. The presentation is always used to push the benefits and conveniences to mankind. Usually there are few if any moral or ethical questions on most developments, but many new technologies are also examined for military value. This in itself is not a problem, a nation must always be on the cutting edge of technology to defend itself and its interests. For some technologies the path enters questionable areas of ethics, morality and the infringement of individual and state freedoms.
American Digital Solutions (ADS), a Florida based company, has taken steps to enter the questionable area with their latest technology, the Verichip. ADS has petitioned the government for the go-ahead to implant their tracking technology into humans. The device is not much larger than a grain of rice. In its most elementary form it can be used to store medical and other personal information. The Verichip in its most advanced stages, to date, could be used to track vital signs and even a person's location via global positioning satellite. Their request places this technology into the questionable position. The company has felt justified in their request since 9-11 has raised fear levels and security measures have drastically increased. There are many voices in the nation and the American government calling for a national id card and polls show the public favors the idea with numbers running over seventy percent.
The Verichip actually started out as a harmless way to track the family pet. ADS bought the rights to the chip and immediately began preparations for human use. Questions had been raised by some who were concerned that the chip used in animals may find its way to human use. The company denied any such intentions and the technology was praised in the media as a humane answer to lost and stolen pets. Before 9-11 ADS attempted to introduce the technology as a breakthrough in guarding against kidnapping, corporate security and tracking of soldiers in the field. All valid concerns, but alarm bells went off all over America as ethicists and Christians understood the dangers that might follow once the technology was introduced into humans. ADS backed away and even denied wanting to use the device internally in humans, then 9-11 changed everything. Since then ADS has had no shortage of volunteers and praise as they offer their answer to American security fears.
ADS has taken pains to diminish Christian fears about the Verichip as the mark of the beast mentioned in the book of Revelation in the Bible. They claim that since this device would be implanted rather than on the surface of the skin it could not be the mark. They are correct in this observation, but their assertions that this is beneficial to mankind are dangerous. The acceptance of the Verichip by the American public will not mean that the U.S. has sold out to the antichrist. What it does mean is that the American will to resist the mark of the beast would be greatly diminished. The tremendous convenience of such a device appeals to our selfish desire to always have it easier. The chip will undoubtedly be a great stride towards a cashless society and the ultimate control of people and nations. Remember that evil doesn't have to smell, taste or look like evil to be evil, even Satan can pose as an angel of light.
Copyright 2002 Randy Loudenslager Ministries
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