June 11, 2004, Hour One: Jeffrey Sachs / Airline Security and Biometrics

Science Friday > Archives > 2004 > June > June 11, 2004:
Hour Two: Jeffrey Sachs / Airline Security and Biometrics

This week, the 'Group of 8' summit took place in Sea Island, Georgia, a meeting in which leaders of eight of the world's industrial powers discussed matters including the economy of the Mideast, famine relief in Africa, and HIV/AIDS research. This hour, we'll talk with Jeffrey D. Sachs, head of the Columbia Earth Institute and advisor to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, on fighting disease in the poorest areas of the world, and on the challenge of balancing sustainable development with environmental protection. Can science be used to fight poverty in the developing world?

Plus, are iris scans in your travel plans? We'll take a look at systems that would use biometrics -- measuring physical characteristics such as iris patterns or fingerprints -- for identification at the airport. The plan to erect 'virtual borders' around major US ports of entry is underway. Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (3-4 Eastern), and share your opinions online in our Listeners' Lounge (registration required).

Guests:
Jeffrey D. Sachs
Director, Earth Institute
Columbia University
Special Advisor to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan
New York, New York

Jim Wayman
Director of Biometric Research
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

This segment produced by Annette Heist

Archived Audio:
Jeffrey Sachs
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biometrics
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streaming audio help from NPR


Biometric Consortium: Introduction To Biometrics findBIOMETRICS.com - Biometrics Airport Applications Biometrics Resource Center Website, NIST Wired News: The Myth of Airport Biometrics
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