Japan takes steps toward a cyborgian society

Of all the countries experimenting with microchips implanted under the skin, Japan seems to be moving at full tilt--which is either good or bad, depending on whom you ask.

The latest news involves a law that would require chips to be implanted in about 650 species of animals considered potentially dangerous. The move follows other initiatives to tag the clothing and backpacks worn by schoolchildren and efforts to implant data on fingernails.

The island nation has historically been known for its fascination with technology, but could that lead it to become the first nation where human chips are commonplace? And if chips aren't enough, perhaps researchers there will one day be able to replace the body altogether.

Blog community response:

"The whole idea of integrating the human body and computers to make cyborgs is fabulous, and I'd even be one of the first in line for an eye modification or hearing augmentation, but there are a lot of problems associated with this type of operation. If everyone connected via a wireless connection we would really need a personal firewall, not just for our home networks but our own bodies."
--eskander's_blog

"It is the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. No one can do business without the mark of the beast. This chip is imbedded in the palm and is a human ATM card. It holds all the bearers' assets and all trades must go through it."
--Adventures of Suzy Colorao

"I can see it now, you'll have all this data encrypted on your fingernails, and a tiny little RFID chip embedded in there. Those dudes with the really long nails will finally have some purpose in life!"
--Teen Geek Squad