A New Generation of Lie Detectors

March 29, 2006

Cephos Corporation and No Lie MRI, Inc. will each soon be marketing a new kind of lie detector based on fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging). I’ve mentioned fMRI before, and its potential use as a lie detector. Now people are starting to throw money into the idea.

According to The Baltimore Sun, (February 19, 2006, 1C [not available online]) the federal government conducts 40,000 polygraphs per year. In addition, these companies are speculating that there is a wider market of people who want to prove they are telling the truth. No Lie MRI is planning to open “Vera Centers” around the country. No information is yet available on what these lie detector tests will cost. What would you be willing to pay to have a brain scan reveal whether you’re telling the truth? Would you be willing to take an fMRI lie detector test as a condition of employment? To rule you out as a suspect? Any other reason?