September 03, 2002A READING youngster is to be microchipped in a
hi-tech bid to thwart perverts and kidnappers.
Danielle Duval, 11, will have the chip implanted in her arm so she can be traced by computer if she is ever snatched.
Her parents Paul and Wendy made the decision
following the deaths of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman from Soham, hoping that ‘tagging' Danielle will go "a long way" to protecting her.
Mrs Duval denied the couple were over-reacting, saying that while it was unlikely Danielle or her
sister Amy, seven, would ever be abducted, they could not be certain. She said it was sensible to use any means, including technology, to keep children safe.
Mrs Duval added that the family, and Danielle, would be reassured she could be found using the chip - which emits radio waves through mobile phone technology - if there were an emergency.
It has been designed by University of Reading
cybernetics expert Professor Kevin Warwick, whose
previous schemes have included microchipping
himself and his wife in a bid to share each other's feelings and using an implant so that he could open doors and switch on computers and lights by remote control.
Prof Warwick said Danielle's microchip readings would be traced on a computer map to locate her.
He admitted it would not stop abductions but it gave parents and police a hope of finding their children alive.
Danielle said Prof Warwick had promised her the implant would not hurt and she would feel safer.
It costs about £20 and will be implanted by a doctor using a local anaesthetic.
The Duvals, of Spencers Wood, say they also want to tag Amy but will wait until she is old enough to understand the implications.
However, the scheme worried children's safety
campaigners Kidscape who felt it was a step towards Big Brother.
Project co-ordinator Megan Burns said: "We completely understand the concern of all parents, particularly in the light of what happened to Holly and Jessica, but we do not feel it is the way forward.
"We are always sceptical when things like this are released after a tragic event like this."
Ms Burns said the microchip should not be seen as a replacement for teaching children about stranger-danger.
The best use would be for children with severe special needs, she said.
There was also a danger that it could be misused by parents who abuse their children.
"It just seems a little bit like a gimmick," she said.
Danielle Duval, 11, will have the chip implanted in her arm so she can be traced by computer if she is ever snatched.
Her parents Paul and Wendy made the decision
following the deaths of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman from Soham, hoping that ‘tagging' Danielle will go "a long way" to protecting her.
Mrs Duval denied the couple were over-reacting, saying that while it was unlikely Danielle or her
sister Amy, seven, would ever be abducted, they could not be certain. She said it was sensible to use any means, including technology, to keep children safe.
Mrs Duval added that the family, and Danielle, would be reassured she could be found using the chip - which emits radio waves through mobile phone technology - if there were an emergency.
It has been designed by University of Reading
cybernetics expert Professor Kevin Warwick, whose
previous schemes have included microchipping
himself and his wife in a bid to share each other's feelings and using an implant so that he could open doors and switch on computers and lights by remote control.
Prof Warwick said Danielle's microchip readings would be traced on a computer map to locate her.
He admitted it would not stop abductions but it gave parents and police a hope of finding their children alive.
Danielle said Prof Warwick had promised her the implant would not hurt and she would feel safer.
It costs about £20 and will be implanted by a doctor using a local anaesthetic.
The Duvals, of Spencers Wood, say they also want to tag Amy but will wait until she is old enough to understand the implications.
However, the scheme worried children's safety
campaigners Kidscape who felt it was a step towards Big Brother.
Project co-ordinator Megan Burns said: "We completely understand the concern of all parents, particularly in the light of what happened to Holly and Jessica, but we do not feel it is the way forward.
"We are always sceptical when things like this are released after a tragic event like this."
Ms Burns said the microchip should not be seen as a replacement for teaching children about stranger-danger.
The best use would be for children with severe special needs, she said.
There was also a danger that it could be misused by parents who abuse their children.
"It just seems a little bit like a gimmick," she said.
http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/s/4565_microchip_tag_bid__to_thwart_perverts
