Biocodicology - A Deeper Dive

[Mark Knowles]

The more I think about it, the more I realise the human DNA testing is absolutely ridiculous.

I think a problem here is that none of us, except Michelle are speaking with any expertise on the subject, yet we are all speaking as though we highly knowledgeable in this area. I don't know what is possible I am suggesting what it seems might well be possible. I think there is a problem more widely here pertaining to Voynich research, people are speaking with confidence as to what technologically may or may not be possible without knowing the subject. I am not an expert on this subject of DNA identification nor are many others, so how can they express so much confidence in their understanding of the science?

Say a random piece of parchment comes off and is tested. Do you really think the VM maker left their DNA over every millimeter of the MS like a slimy film? They didn't even touch every part of it, let alone leave behind genetic material.

If you just breathe on something you can leave your DNA, so it is not even necessary to touch it. I wouldn't suggest that DNA is slimy or comprises a film, but widely distributed across the pages of the manuscript sounds quite plausible to me.

For all we know, a thousand people have touched the MS since its creation.

So it would be necessary to either eliminate the sequenced DNA that one is not interested in by some careful, but time efficient means, or alternatively to collect a sample from the manuscript not containing most or all of the DNA that one is not interested in.

So let's say some DNA comes up, and some of it is Italian. The Italian DNA is fom a random worker who touched it before the sale to Wilfrid Voynich. People go crazy: Italian DNA found on the VM. Further investigation is done, and all kinds of things are now suggested about the identity of the author. 

That implies a terrible methodological approach by the scientist in question, why would anyone approach it in such an idiotic way?

Testing the VM for human DNA is not only naive and useless; it would be detrimental to the study. 

With all due respect what qualifications do you have to make such a strong statement? My understanding is that you are a linguist not an expert on DNA identification.

Testing the animal DNA of the parchment for matches against a database is much more useful, even if that database is still under construction. As soon as the VM's animal DNA is known, it can be compared to any future entries.

I certainly wouldn't suggest it is necessarily an either or situation. I would not think that both could be possible.