Invasion of the Body
Scanners, Really?
Kari Blalack
(Revolt against TSA,
2010)
A Quick Overview:
How do they work?
Backscatter X-ray
Millimeter Wave
 This type uses low
level x-rays to
create the image
(Tessler, 2009).
 This type uses
radio waves that
bounce off your
body to create the
image, kind of like
a bat using echoes
(Tessler, 2009).
The Major Concerns
Health Risks
Why the Nakedness!
Our Rights/ Privacy
Children?
Will it Harm Me?
 Many have brought up the concern of
radiation. Only Backscatter X-ray
scanners emit radiation and this is very
mild. A scan will expose you to about 2
to 4 minutes of flight time (Chesen,
2011). So, just pretend that your flight
is four minutes longer than normal.
Oh, No! I’m Naked!
A concern is that body scans
appear naked. Body scanners
strip down the human form
to such a level only in order
to detect metallic and nonmetallic hidden items
(Drescher, 2010). Because of
this they can detect most
plastic explosions that metal
detectors cannot (Debate:
Full-body Scanners at
Airports, 2011).
(Body Scanner in Canada,
2010)
Where’s My Privacy? I Have Rights!
 Body scanners are not meant to invade your
privacy but to protect your country. What’s more
important, 15 seconds of embarrassment or the
possibility of never landing (Tessler, 2009)?
 Airports take your privacy seriously, this is why the
people scanning you are not the ones viewing your
scan. Your scan goes to another room for viewing
and is not saved in any systems. Once your
through its gone. Your face is never connected with
it. (Debate: Full-body Scanners at Airports, 2011)
 If you don’t like it then feel free to opt out for the
person on person pat down.
Why Children?
Children are scanned
because terrorist do not
have age limits. Some
may view the scans as
child pornography, but
we do not have an issue
with law enforcement
and the justice system
possessing such images
so why do we feel
differently about the
airports trying to ensure
safety (Chesen, 2011)?
(Healthy Child Care
Washington, 2011)
The Ethical Theories
Utilitarian
Kantianism
Slipery Slope
Utilitarian Connection
“Ethical choices produces the greatest good and the
least harm. Focus on consequences of actions.”
-Bentham, Mill
(Dziadek, 2011)
Being objected to the use of a body scanner may
be a personal harm but when viewed against the
risk to society as a whole, if this action is not
taken, the ultimate good of one day preserving
human life out weighs the rest.
Kantian Connection
“Human rights are interests and activities which we
must respect and protect as a civilization. Every
person has the fundamental right to be treated as
free and equal rational agent.”
-Kant
(Dziadek, 2011)
The amazing thing about body scanners are that they
are literally blind to race. This means that through
them, and unlike in pat downs, we can put a stop to
racial profiling. Everyone is equal to a scanner.
(Debate: Full-body Scanners at Airports, 2011)
Slippery Slope Connection
 An argument of many is that by giving up
and exception body scanners we are
heading down a slope to a technical
society where the government has total
control. This is a slippery slope argument
that cannot be proven. This same view
was expressed about the Patriot Act, but
hey we are still free. (Sencerz, 2011)
Works Cited
 Body Scanner in Canada. Photograph. Canada. TSA Pictures. By
Admin. TSA Pictures, 9 Nov. 2010. Web. 26 Apr. 2011.
<http://www.tsapics.com/2010/11/body-scanner-in-canada/>.
 Chesen, Jeff. "Full-Body Scanners: How TSA Made a Mess of the
Message." NCSTL. Stetson University College of Law, Apr. 2011.
Web. 19 Apr. 2011. <http://www.ncstl.org/evident/full-bodyscanners-how-tsa-made-a-mess-chesen>.
 "Debate: Full-body Scanners at Airports." Debatepedia. International
Debate Education Association, 15 Mar. 2011. Web. 20 Apr. 2011.
<http://debatepedia.idebate.org/en/index.php/Debate:_Fullbody_scanners_at_airports>.
 "Ethical Systems." Philosophy Recitation for Liberal Arts. Ed. Felicia
Dziadek. Wiki, Mar. 2011. Web. 20 Apr. 2011.
<http://feliciadz2.pbworks.com/w/page/37550484/EthicalSystems>.
 "Full-Body Scanners 101: How Naked Is Full-Body Scan Naked?"
Jaunted. Ed. Cynthia Drescher. Concierge, 6 Jan. 2010. Web. 23
Apr. 2011.
<http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/1/6/1658
31/7563/travel/FullBody+Scanners+101%3A+How+Naked+Is+FullBody+Scan+Naked%3F>.
Works Cited Cont.
 Photograph. Washington. Healthy Child Care Washington.
Washington State Child Care Resource and Referral
Network, 12 Jan. 2011. Web. 26 Apr. 2011.
<http://www.healthychildcare-wa.org/>.
 Revolt against TSA - Body Scanner Security Systems.
Photograph. Toptodaynews.com. Top Today News 2011,
13 Nov. 2010. Web. 24 Apr. 2011.
<http://toptodaynews.com/revolt-against-tsa-bodyscanner-security-systems/>.
 Sencerz, Stefan. "What Is Morality?" Lecture. Foundations of
Professional Ethics. US, Corpus Christi. 17 Jan. 2011.
Philosophy. Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, 17 Jan.
2011. Web. 23 Apr. 2011.
<http://philosophy.tamucc.edu/prof_ethics_lecture1>.
 Tessler, Joelle. "Airport Full-body Scanners Have Benefits, and
Limits - The Denver Post." Colorado Breaking News,
Sports, Weather, Traffic - The Denver Post. Denver Post,
31 Dec. 2009. Web. 24 Apr. 2011.
<http://www.denverpost.com/nationalpolitics/ci_
14097796>.