Microchipping humans

[floo]

The other day I was firmly in favour of humans being microchipped with a tracking device! My husband had gone off for a walk as he does most days, in spite of me warning him that I was concerned he might slip as we had a lot of rain and his balance isn't brilliant these days. However, he always knows best and didn't heed my warning. Suffice to say he phoned to say he had fall and couldn't get up, he couldn't tell me where he was. It took me about 20 minutes driving around the country lanes to eventually find him. A young couple had kindly stopped their car and would have brought him home if he had been able to tell them where he lived, which he can't due to his brain damage! He is supposed to carry his name and address with him, but as usual had forgotten to do so! If he had a tracking device implanted maybe I would have had no problem finding him quickly. Fortunately for him he had fallen on a grass verge, apart from a few scratches and nettle stings was no worse for his fall.

If we were all microchipped with tracking devices at birth, would that be a good or bad thing?

[Nearly Sane]

Isn't this analogous to circumcision? It's a procedure carried out without the consent of the child?


Overall the costs in reduction of freedom seem to outweigh the benefits to me.

Hope your husband is doing OK.

[Walter]

The other day I was firmly in favour of humans being microchipped with a tracking device! My husband had gone off for a walk as he does most days, in spite of me warning him that I was concerned he might slip as we had a lot of rain and his balance isn't brilliant these days. However, he always knows best and didn't heed my warning. Suffice to say he phoned to say he had fall and couldn't get up, he couldn't tell me where he was. It took me about 20 minutes driving around the country lanes to eventually find him. A young couple had kindly stopped their car and would have brought him home if he had been able to tell them where he lived, which he can't due to his brain damage! He is supposed to carry his name and address with him, but as usual had forgotten to do so! If he had a tracking device implanted maybe I would have had no problem finding him quickly. Fortunately for him he had fallen on a grass verge, apart from a few scratches and nettle stings was no worse for his fall.

If we were all microchipped with tracking devices at birth, would that be a good or bad thing?

tracking devices are available to buy at Lloyds pharmacy for about 60 quid , I'm sure you can find a cheaper model ont net tho

[Rhiannon]

If he has a smartphone he could switch on his location thing that will enable his position to be tracked. Given that most of us carry phones they can do the job of a chip with the benefit that they can be left at home or switched off at will.

The dangers of chipping far, far outweigh the benefits.

I too hope that your husband is recovering well.

[Nearly Sane]

tracking devices are available to buy at Lloyds pharmacy for about 60 quid , I'm sure you can find a cheaper model ont net tho

indeed,  quick search shows from about 25 quid. Surely though the phone has GPS built in?

[floo]

If he has a smartphone he could switch on his location thing that will enable his position to be tracked. Given that most of us carry phones they can do the job of a chip with the benefit that they can be left at home or switched off at will.

The dangers of chipping far, far outweigh the benefits.

I too hope that your husband is recovering well.

My husband has an ordinary phone, he couldn't manage a smart phone. My husband is fine, thanks. At this moment in time he is rearranging his study, in spite of me being concerned he might do his back in, as his desk is large and very heavy. He fully intends to go out for another route march later, and tells me I worry too much. I said I will not responsible for my actions if he has another fall!

What are the dangers of microchipping, in your view.

[Rhiannon]

Floo, if nothing else you can get an SOS pendant that he can wear that has a piece of paper in with emergency details on it.

The biggest danger of chipping for me is that people in abusive relationships could be tracked by their abuser. The same applies to children who have controlling and abusive parents. We all have a right to a private life and this would be a huge tool in eliminating that right.

As has already been said, vulnerable people can use smartphones or tracking devices that can be removed when not needed.

[Nearly Sane]

My husband has an ordinary phone, he couldn't manage a smart phone. My husband is fine, thanks. At this moment in time he is rearranging his study, in spite of me being concerned he might do his back in, as his desk is large and very heavy. He fully intends to go out for another route march later, and tells me I worry too much. I said I will not responsible for my actions if he has another fall!

What are the dangers of microchipping, in your view.

You don't need a smart phone to have GPS in it.

By microchipping you create a database that can be hacked against the choice of the individual. So if I wanted to stalk someone I could in theory know where they were at all times, and that isn't looking at the issues of what agovt might choose to do.

[Rhiannon]

I know someone whose location in a refuge was given to her ex husband by someone in the police who looked at their records for him. So that is a potential way that stalkers and abusers can also use the database - persuaded or blackmail someone who has legitimate access to it.

[Walter]

My husband has an ordinary phone, he couldn't manage a smart phone. My husband is fine, thanks. At this moment in time he is rearranging his study, in spite of me being concerned he might do his back in, as his desk is large and very heavy. He fully intends to go out for another route march later, and tells me I worry too much. I said I will not responsible for my actions if he has another fall!

What are the dangers of microchipping, in your view.

I think you are confusing micro chipping with tracking devices!

[Robbie]

I know someone whose location in a refuge was given to her ex husband by someone in the police who looked at their records for him. So that is a potential way that stalkers and abusers can also use the database - persuaded or blackmail someone who has legitimate access to it.

That is frightening Rhiannon.  I agree with your previous post too.

Don't agree with microchipping humans, the dangers (to me) outweigh the benefits.

Floo you have some good suggestions for your husband on here.

[floo]

Floo, if nothing else you can get an SOS pendant that he can wear that has a piece of paper in with emergency details on it.

The biggest danger of chipping for me is that people in abusive relationships could be tracked by their abuser. The same applies to children who have controlling and abusive parents. We all have a right to a private life and this would be a huge tool in eliminating that right.

As has already been said, vulnerable people can use smartphones or tracking devices that can be removed when not needed.

Whilst the SOS pendant is a good idea, there is no way in a million years he would wear it. According to him he doesn't have a problem, it is all in my mind!

Whilst I take your point about abusive relationships, being able to track one's children when they are young seems like a good idea to me. Under 16s don't have right to a private life, imo, all good parents should know what they are getting up to.

[Walter]

Whilst the SOS pendant is a good idea, there is no way in a million years he would wear it. According to him he doesn't have a problem, it is all in my mind!

Whilst I take your point about abusive relationships, being able to track one's children when they are young seems like a good idea to me. Under 16s don't have right to a private life, imo, all good parents should know what they are getting up to.

S.O.S. pendant is not a tracking device !

[Sebastian Toe]

Whilst I take your point about abusive relationships, being able to track one's children when they are young seems like a good idea to me. Under 16s don't have right to a private life, imo, all good parents should know what they are getting up to.

How do you plan to track them?

[floo]

S.O.S. pendant is not a tracking device !

I am aware of that.

[Walter]

I am aware of that.

why mention it then ? it seems to me you don't really want any help , you just wanted to tell us about your predicament and there's nothing wrong with that but why disguise it?

[Rhiannon]

why mention it then ? it seems to me you don't really want any help , you just wanted to tell us about your predicament and there's nothing wrong with that but why disguise it?

I was the one that brought it up, because Floo said her husband is always supposed to carry his name and address on him.

Floo, you can buy SOS pendants that look like normal ones and you could fill out the details sand not tell him what it is, just give it to him to wear. Or put address cards in the pockets of his jackets.

[Walter]

I was the one that brought it up, because Floo said her husband is always supposed to carry his name and address on him

sorry my mistake

[floo]

I was the one that brought it up, because Floo said her husband is always supposed to carry his name and address on him.

Floo, you can buy SOS pendants that look like normal ones and you could fill out the details sand not tell him what it is, just give it to him to wear. Or put address cards in the pockets of his jackets.

My husband wouldn't wear any sort of pendant, just not him, besides which, even with half a brain he would work out what it was for.

[Rhiannon]

And address cards in his pocket won't work because...?

[floo]

And address cards in his pocket won't work because...?

Today I have created a credit card size address card, which he has agreed to keep in his wallet, which he always takes out with him. That is the best I can do.

[Rhiannon]

Today I have created a credit card size address card, which he has agreed to keep in his wallet, which he always takes out with him.

Excellent. 

[SusanDoris]

Floo, if nothing else you can get an SOS pendant that he can wear that has a piece of paper in with emergency details on it.

The biggest danger of chipping for me is that people in abusive relationships could be tracked by their abuser. The same applies to children who have controlling and abusive parents. We all have a right to a private life and this would be a huge tool in eliminating that right.

As has already been said, vulnerable people can use smartphones or tracking devices that can be removed when not needed.

I have a lifeline button but when I go out I always put on the rubber wrist band which has my name, a code number and a phone number where they have all my medical records. If your husband tells you he is going out, Floo, you could pop it in one of his pockets, or make him wear it! A walking stick is essential - not for support of body while walking but to place firmly on the ground if I feel that I am tripping on something. Fortunately this rarely happens.  I don't think I would choose to take a tracking device but would change my mind if was given a particularly good reason to do so.

[floo]

I have a lifeline button but when I go out I always put on the rubber wrist band which has my name, a code number and a phone number where they have all my medical records. If your husband tells you he is going out, Floo, you could pop it in one of his pockets, or make him wear it! A walking stick is essential - not for support of body while walking but to place firmly on the ground if I feel that I am tripping on something. Fortunately this rarely happens.  I don't think I would choose to take a tracking device but would change my mind if was given a particularly good reason to do so.

I have suggested a walking stick, but my husband refuses to use one, but at least he is now carrying his name and address in his wallet. In the end it is entirely up to him. I have done my best, and can do no more. If he ends up breaking his neck there is nothing I can do about it.

[Robbie]

My husband wouldn't wear any sort of pendant, just not him, besides which, even with half a brain he would work out what it was for.

A lot of men wouldn't wear a pendant, floo, and I had doubts that your husband would but you've done the right thing by creating a card to keep in his wallet, with his name and address.   Does he carry a pocket diary?   I know many people don't use them now with everything digital but still a lot do, I do and always have it with me, last year's too  .  My name and address, next of kin details etc, are written in them along with blood group.

Like you said there's only so much you can do but I think what you have done is good and would be effective.