Biocodicology - A Deeper Dive

[LisaFaginDavis]

I really don't see what the point of all this would be. Someone would have to sample every millimeter of every page, including the edges and the interior of the spine, the sewing stations, the sewing threads, the binding, etc. There is absolutely no way that that is going to happen. What would be the payoff? Subject the manuscript to that amount of handling and abrasion on the chance that some of the samples might include human DNA? Then what? It might be interesting, but in no way is the risk to the manuscript going to be worth the very remote possibility of recovering cellular debris that might include DNA that might be identifiable as someone whom we already know has handled the manuscript in the modern era. Even when the sample-gathering is minimally destructive, it is still destructive, especially if portions with ink and pigment are going to be sampled. It is simply unimaginable that those entrusted with the care and preservation of this object would allow it. The manuscript is very, very fragile, especially the fold-outs and the Rose, which can no longer be safely opened without risk of tearing. The potential for actionable results is much too remote to risk damaging the manuscript.