Many of the concepts and considerations which are discussed under the heading of “Identity, Security and Democracy” are the same as those which are found in bioethical discussions of access to medical records, the Human Genome Project, and bio banks. A brief look at some of the great philosophers, Descartes, Hume and Maimonides, leads to the suggestion that we should be willing to do away with privacy and be open with everyone. But this is utopian, ignoring the fact that we have enemies. When security is at stake, there are reasons to be more lenient and reasons to be less lenient about violations of privacy.