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A bright idea for identifying newborn babies in hospital and protecting them
from abduction is patented in GB 2 332 819. Claire Padley of London says
identity bands easily slip off babies’ hands and feet, so she proposes a tag
that is incorporated in the clips used to clamp shut the baby’s umbilical cord
at birth. The clip has a ratchet clamp that is easy to close, but is impossible
to remove without heavy-duty shears. The new clamp would include a radio
identity tag like those used in clothing stores. So would-be abductors would not
be able to deactivate the tag or remove it, and may not even know it is there
under the baby’s clothing.