New Ink Allows Authors to Embed Their DNA into Their Work

Over the centuries of history, the works of certain authors have been given a more "personal" touch. Some chose to have a copy of their book bound in their own skin after their death. Others have written in their blood. Now, Ko-Sin Printing in Tokyo is offering people the ability to incorporate their DNA or that of their pets into a special ink destined for the printing press.

Ko-Sin has patented the process for allowing authors to send a sample of hair, fingernail, or such material to be used in printing their books. It claims that this process allows genetic information to be extracted from the books printed with the special DNA ink.

Whether this is true or not, it certainly gives one pause for thought. In the future, is this the sort of thing which would "embody" an author's message tastefully? Or is it another fad at which later generations will wonder? Will a book with your DNA or that of a favorite pet risk getting damaged because of some later person's desire to attempt a cloning? Or will it remain on the shelf, undamaged, a nice testimony to the achievements of the modern times whereby a person may truly personalize his or her creation with their DNA?

After all, at this time in history, books written in blood or bound by or written on human skin (anthropodermic bindings and sheets) are rare. It is repulsive for those of our times to think of the origin of these books. Even the less gruesome sentimental practice of keeping locks of hair has died out. Could DNA ink printing be numbered among these practices? Will it fade into oblivion? Or will it increase the number of this peculiar sentimental encasement of an author to be treasured in limited editions?