Secrecy or furtiveness is the practice of sharing information among a group of people, which can be as small as one person, while hiding it from all others. That which is kept hidden is known as the secret. Secrecy is often controversial. Many people claim that, at least in some situations, it is better for everyone if everyone knows all the facts—there should be no secrets. Many biologists also claim that, with possible exceptions, it is better for everyone if the spread of information from its origins is as slow as possible - there should be as much secrecy and privacy as possible. The closely allied, perhaps even synonymous notions of confidentiality and privacy are often considered virtues. Although this belief is held by many people, most argue that it is taken out of context. William Penn wrote, "It is wise not to seek a secret; and honest, not to reveal one."[1]...