What would you do for a Klondike Bar? If you've ever seen the antics of these cleverly and comedically devised commercials, you would be aware of what people would be willing to do for the tasty, delicious treat.....BUT, what would you do for sake of National Security? Nearly stripped from the pages of a sci-fi novel, comes an all, too incredible story of real, life-altering technology. Modifying the course of civilization as we know it, "Applied Digital Solutions," creator of "Verichip," is purportedly and actively developing applications for this controversial product for National defense organization -- Department of Homeland Security. According to company press releases, the Verichip (dubbed the "Human Barcode") is an implantable device about the size of a grain of rice. Composed of a microchip within a glass and silicone cylinder, Verichip may ultimately become the Human social security number of the future. Not just a form of simple identification, Verichip can ultimately contain retrievable information regarding detailed medical and financial history. And future capabilities are indicative of having GPS - encoded technology (Global Positioning Surveillance), and photographic memory record details. Currently, Verichip is a trial-by-use, or "voluntary" injection only. However, the US Government, working in conjunction with the makers of these chips, are "encouraging" usage of them -- of course for "your own security," and "medical purposes." The first family to have Verichip installed (yes, I didn't stutter -- "installed") was a family in Boca Raton, Florida. Both parents, injected with a Verichip, watched as their 14-year old son was injected with the chip as well. Another perspective of the Verichip, is that it raises questions of whether or not parents should have the right to have their children injected with these little, digital devices. Although parents may fingerprint and now, even take DNA swabs of chidrens' saliva in case of abduction purposes -- at what point does "protection" become noninvasive; or in the case of Verichip installation, intrusive? Advocates for this new and disturbing technology will counterattack claims of privacy invasion, and “Big Brother” supervision by stating how beneficial it is to National Security and "your own safety," but who is actually benefiting from this minute contraption? In lieu of September 11, a Nation stood at arms in the wake of unfolding tragedy. Sporadically, our so-called Homeland Security elevates National security levels to different degrees -- just so we become more aware of unseen "terror threats. " And of course Veterinarians and the Humane Society or SPCA actively promote the use of these tiny mechanisms, so we can "track our animals," should they ever become lost or stolen. Correctional systems across the country have interests in the Verichip, as it would simplify the monitoring system and do away with the use of ankle bracelets. Then there's the medical "benefit." Who would want to be without a chip that tells emergency workers your medical history if you're ever involved in an accident where you are unconscious or aren't breathing? In this case, I don't honestly believe that EMTs are going to be pulling out a scanning rod to check for a Verichip. More than likely, they'll be working steadfastly on reviving you and pulling you from death's clutches. So, on a medical standpoint, the Verichip serves no purpose in emergency treatment as it so proclaims. Additionally, supporters will make assertions on how crucial this apparatus would be in responding to military crash victims. Rescue and recovery will be the next targeted proclamation -- as it will save lives. In retrospect, this would be true -- however, military or governmental rescue and recovery operations are never as they seem. If you can recall the Space Shuttle Challenger's tragic demise in the mid 1980s, NASA's prime focus was indeed rescue and recovery. It's main goal was to retrieve Challenger's vital onboard "package" that cost US taxpayers millions, (if not billions) of dollars. This immediate "rescue and recovery" mission never entailed rescue and recovery of the ill-fated crew. Yes -- Unfolding before our eyes, is the prioritization of Verichip's "real" intentions. Government and Military Databases: Imagine having your personal information fostered in a national database, alongside common criminals and terrorists -- this is the future of Verichip. In addition, "Lifelog," developed by DARPA, is an audiovisual surveillance mini-PC that could be added to the Verichip. As a matter of fact, research is currently underway to further develop and converge this technology. But what does all of this mean? With technology moving at the speed of light, we are on the brink of total, and now with the Patriot Act, legal scrutiny. Perhaps our daily routines are similar to that of Al Queda members living in the US and abroad ... thank God for the Verichip -- now we can be tracked like the animals we are and be brought in for swift justice. Yes, we attend the PTA, watch news and science programs on television, and perhaps we patron the local coffee shop that Al Queda members visit -- we must be "sleeper cells" too. The saddest part about Verichip and its hyped claims is that people, in general, are not truly reacting to the serious and phenomenal repercussions something this minuscule could have on civilization as a whole. One's every intimate detail of his or her life could be inexplicably recorded and documented. From driving to your child's sporting event, to sending a personal email, to buying a best-selling novel at your local bookstore -- all of this and more can and will eventually be radiosignaled via audiovisual techniques to global, information databases. So what would you do for a Klondike bar -- or National Security?

*For more information on the Verichip, go to http://www.4verichip.com and for DNA child test kits: http://codeamber.org/dnakits.html In addition, there are several news reports regarding Verichip technologies.

About the author: ©LadyCamelot 09/2003 LadyCamelot currently serves as the PR Dir. for HolisticJunction.com,published author of "Windows to the Soul," has several poems published in esteemed anthologies, a free-lance writer, State IDC Representative, animal rights activist, artist and more recently has had her literature inducted into the Ellis Island library in tributary to the events of 911. To contact LadyCamelot, you may reach her via email at LadyCamelot@aol.com .