- ITALIAN dignitaries who fear being kidnapped are having microprocessor
homing devices planted in their bodies so police can track them down if
they are abducted.
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- The microchips - called Sky-Eyes - were
originally developed for intelligence use by Israeli researchers. Rome's
La Repubblica newspaper described the latest development as a "biological
adaptation" of the Global Positioning System, which is already in
use to protect luxury cars from being stolen.
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- Sky-Eyes are sold by a company called
Gen-Etics, which has patented the device for private use but which is cautious
about supplying further details, in order to protect its clients.
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- Sky-Eyes are said to be made of "synthetic
and organic fibre". They reportedly run on such a small amount of
energy that this can be "borrowed" from the human body. The chip
is supposed to be invisible to both the naked eye and to X-rays. A person
who carries it is supplied with an eight-digit code by the company. He,
or she, is advised to divulge this only to next of kin or a trusted legal
representative.
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- In case of the person's disappearance,
those in possession of the code are supposed to contact the company's control
centre, so that the kidnapped victim's whereabouts may be pinpointed, and
the police informed. The Sky-Eye is said to have a margin of error of just
150 yards. Kidnapping is still common in Italy.
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- One recent victim, Giuseppe Soffiantini,
an elderly northern industrialist, was wary when asked if he would buy
one. At the weekend he said: "As they also know about the discovery,
the kidnappers will find a counter system to use against it. They are treacherous."
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- During his long captivity, his kidnappers
cut off pieces of his ears and sent them to his family. Mr Soffiantini,
was released earlier this year after a £2 million ransom was paid.
He said: "But if the microchip worked, then of course I'd get one.
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