Subscribe now

Letter: Nature's bar codes

Published 12 February 2000

From Alec Cawley

In suggesting that we should all have bar codes in our foreheads, your
correspondent Brian Moss is millions of years too late
(22 January, p 50).

Nature has already marked us with unique patterns of lines, on our fingertips
and retinas amongst other places. Those on our fingers mark every manual
transaction we make, while those in our retinas will, if current predictions
come true, soon be read automatically without our knowledge. Nature has prepared
the way for Big Brother.

Newbury, Berkshire

Issue no. 2225 published 12 February 2000

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop