Dumpling in a Hanky

As I waffled about back in March , it was recently shown that pacemakers could be hacked. At that point, they weren't sure what exactly could be done to the pacemakers, but now...they know. Some academics have managed to turn off pacemakers by remote control ... Definitely not conducive to good heart health!

Independent MSP Margo McDonald has claimed in a Scottish Parliament debate that the terminally ill should be allowed the right to "assisted death" at a time of their choosing. Although the law is not likely to change, the Scottish Parliament does have the devolved power of healthcare...I wonder if it extends to allowing euthanasia? And would that start a cross-border trek for those who wanted to die with dignity but needed help, travelling from other parts of the UK to Scotland?

From Null Hypothesis , the news that having to have a pacemaker fitted may not be traumatic enough in itself, without hearing that medical staff are now realising that the new, snazzy wifi enabled pacemakers they're fitting may be a health hazard in themselves! The pacemakers are wifi enabled, to allow easy downloading of data and checks of the device, meaning the recipient doesn't have to make as many routine hospital visits. Which is a good thing indeed! What they hadn't really taken into account is the fact that wifi also means that, theoretically, the pacemakers are hackable, allowing them to be reprogrammed and potentially triggering life threatening palpitations. Thankfully, it's not likely to ever happen, but if have a pacemaker, and your heart starts to race in a wifi cafe, maybe it's not just the caffeine rush...