Working Hypothesis - What Is the Correlation Between the Prophecy of "the Mark of the Beast", and Current Trends in Biochip Technology?

Allie Kornbluth

LIS 1001

December 10, 2004

The Mark Of the Beast

Topic:

Biochip Technology; Uses and Abuses

Working Hypothesis:

What is the correlation between the prophecy of "the mark of the beast", and current trends in biochip technology?

Intro/Thesis statement:

Technology is chipping away at our personal freedoms. In the New Testament, Revelations 13 warns " He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the Beast or the number of his name...". Bible scholars fear that this passage reflects the modern world, and its use of numbers for authentic identification. Imagine the potential of a computer chip to help or hinder the identification process. We are arriving at a time in history when our government is forming an alliance with science and technology. As our generation increasingly embraces technological advances, we continue to witness the ongoing neglect of our personal liberties and private lives. The potential for our global rulers to catalog every single human being, depends on the use of Biochip Implants.

This is the generation of a technological revolution. Just like our ancestors witnessed the spread of the industrial revolution, we are experiencing parallel advances in society today. Technology increases the speed of access to information, which we have at our disposal. Through the advances of technology, the venues in which we have to communicate are almost unlimited. All ranges and ages of individuals can be found using cell phones, ATMs, computers and TV's. We have grown to rely on the microwave, the Internet, E-Z Pass, just as we did the automobile. Satellite images, Global Positioning Systems, wireless networks, and i-pods are just some of the features in our society, today. More sophisticated versions of advanced devices, are currently permeating into our society. Consider Biochip technology. A Biochip is basically a tiny little computer chip that serves to retain information. Although technology guarantees many perks, it also bears an immense burden of responsibility. It is important to evaluate the potential abuses of technology that parallel the potential uses.

Allie Kornbluth

LIS 1001

December 10, 2004

Annotated Bibliography

Caruso, Jeff. "Biometrics benefits, challenges aired." Network World 21.44 (2004): 17. ProQuest Direct. Manhattanville Coll. Lib., Purchase, NY. 8, Dec. 2004. < http://proquest.umi.com >. Jeff Caruso writes for a weekly trade journal, Network World, which seeks to inform high earning network and information technology consumers, and employees. In this issue, Jeff Curaso summed the debate, which took place at the fall, 2004 Biometrics Summit. The area of discussion at the conference questioned the threat of identity fraud, and the requisites to prevent further deception. The concept of security and identity, appear to be affecting all corners of society today. All who attended the conference are advocates of Biometric technologies. In particular, this publication did not reflect detailed information regarding the future of the Biometric industry. "Biometrics benefits, challenges aired" was as effective as the audience at the conference. Although privacy concerns were raised, only one demographic effected by Biometrics participated in the dialogue. Even so, weekly issues of Network World typically include statistical data, case studies, as well as expert product tests and reviews.

Feder, Barnaby J., Zeller, Tom Jr. "Identity Chip Planted Under Skin for Use in Health Care." New York Times. 14, Oct. 2004. Late Edition. A.1. Proquest Direct. Manhattanville Coll. Lib., Purchase, NY. 29 November 2004. The New York Times reported recently that the Food and Drug Administration have approved biochip implantation devices to be used in humans. Writers, Barnaby J. Feder, and Tom Zeller Jr. remind readers of privacy concerns, and the apprehension of its widespread tracking potential. Although the article does not provide specific references, it does however extract details from Applied Digital Solutions corp. "Applied Digital Solutions, based in Delray Beach, Fla., said that its devices which it calls VeriChips, could save lives and limit injuries from error in medical treatment. And it expressed hope that such medical uses would accelerate the acceptance of under-the-skin ID chips as security and access-control devices." Feder and Zeller capture the various topics, which trail the current growth in biochip applications. Some financial details are listed. International acceptance and usage of the biochip are also briefed upon. This is a powerful article, because the average reader may not know how to acquire

information about advancing technologies.

Garfinkel, Simson. Database Nation(the Death of Privacy in the 21st Century).

O'Reilly & Associates, Inc. Beijing, 2000. 1st ed. Net Library. Manhattanville Coll. Lib., Purchase, NY. 28, Nov. 2004< http://www.netlibrary.com > Database Nation illustrates current trends central to the technology sector of society. By addressing the role of the government and its correlation with technology, the concept of privacy is thoroughly examined. It is written with the intention of reminding the audience, technology will continue to violate the right to privacy. The more informed the individual, the better chance one has to understand, and address the hazards of technology. This book was first published in 2000, with the intentions of informing the general public of the role that government and technology will have in the future. Simson Garfinkel has been studying privacy issues dating back to 1986. Since then, he has worked closely with Marc Rotenberg, as well as others at the Electronic Privacy Information Center (ERIC).

Global ID Magazine Online. Pub. Wise Media 2004. Chief Ed. Roberto Dell'Acqua Milano Italy. Professional Site. < http://www.global-idmagazine.com > This is a website that is at the forefront of advanced identification technologies. Wise Media produces magazines,