http://www.njbiz.com/weekly_article.asp?aID=80180
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8439285.stm
In response to terrorism, nearly twenty U.S. airports have installed body scanners in the past few years. Experts say they are going to be put in place in more and more airports in the coming years in the U.S. and around the world—Great Britain just announced that they will have many in by 2010.
Will body scanners help prevent attacks? Not sure, but I am sure that for many people the thought of having an image of their body without clothing examined by an airport security person will be uncomfortable at best.
For others this kind of body scanning will likely provoke fear of ridicule, feelings of embarrassment, humiliation, shame, loss of dignity, agitation, anger, and even rage. People who have faced trauma and shaming in the past, especially physical or emotional abuse or threats to limb and life could even be re-traumatized by security technology. In addition to a personal sense of violation of modesty some might consider body scans to be a violation of their religious or moral beliefs. I believe the scanning process will cause very real feelings of grief and loss as it involves a (temporary) loss of control over our bodies. If this really does become the norm at most airports we will have to quickly learn coping skills to face these feelings—or stay at home.
In the U.S. and other countries, people are asking questions: Will these scans really keep us safe? Is it inevitable that we must use them? Are there alternative security methods and systems that should be explored first? If we “expose” our selves to scans will we lose something—a measure of dignity or freedom—and will this mean those who wish us harm have “won”? Are our rights being violated in order to protect a flawed system that can’t differentiate between who deserves to be searched and who doesn’t?
There are many practical, philosophical and moral questions about body scanning—foremost of which: Will it save lives? In the meantime, if you find it uncomfortable I recommend that you talk about it with others—many share your feelings and consensus can create comfort.
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