BITE aims to prompt research and to launch a public debate on bioethics of biometric technology. The number of biometric devices in use in Europe has jumped from 8,550 in 1996 to more than to 150,000 in 2004 and biometric industries revenues are expected to more than triple in the next two years. “Biometrics seem headed for dramatic growth in the next few years. But calm, public discussion of their benefits and drawbacks has been lamentably lacking” (The Economist, Prepare to be scanned, Monday December 8th 2003). The BITE project aims to launch such a discussion.

Biometrics evoke several social, legal and ethical concerns. Concerns are based on a variety of factors, including fears about the centralization of biometric identification information and the potential for misuse of these data. From 1998 to 2003 the European Commission has funded 28 research projects on biometrics in the scope of its ICT programmes. Most of them mentioned the need to produce research in the field of ethics of biomedical implications of biometrics. The main strategic impact of the BITE Project is to initiate such a research.

The BITE project offers a unique combination of academic centres, industries and international organisations with the aim to help industry and researchers to confront ethical issues that arise in biometrics. The project is coordinated by Prof. Emilio Mordini, director of the Centre for Science, Society and Citizenship (Rome).