The DNA of God? (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Leoncio A. Garza-Valdes, a San Antonio pediatrician, has an unusual hobby: archaeomicrobiology. Garza-Valdes's hobby would likely be of interest only to other scientists who work on the carbon dating of ancient textiles, if it weren't for his obsession with an artifact that obsesses many people of faith around the world: the Shroud of Turin. In The DNA of God?, Garza-Valdes describes his lifelong interest in the Shroud, and his discovery that it has an organic "bioplastic coating" that has distorted many previous attempts to date the relic. The DNA of God? suggests that the Shroud almost surely dates from the time of Jesus, and, further, reveals Garza-Valdes's shocking discoveries that the Shroud bears traces of blood that contain a man's DNA; wood that may come from the cross on Golgotha; and bacteria that produce vinegar (which may be traces of the vinegar offered to Jesus as he died on the cross). Garza-Valdes's potentially explosive revelations are delivered with absolute clarity and appealing humility. He says he has believed in the Shroud's authenticity since he was a boy, but, as a scientist, he refuses to "offer judgment on a matter for which there is no evidence, that is, whether the Shroud is without doubt the burial cloth of Jesus." Instead, he carefully describes what science has learned about the Shroud, reminds readers of elements of the gospel stories that mention physical substances he has found on the relic, and leaves us to make our own decisions. --Michael Joseph Gross

Product Description

In 1988, radiocarbon dating showed that the Shroud of Turin--long regarded as the burial cloth of Jesus of Nazareth--could not be from the time of Jesus but was of a more recent origin. What scientists did not know at that time, but what author Dr. Leoncio Garza-Valdes came to discover, is that bacteria produce an organic coating (what he calls a "bioplastic coating") over time on ancient textiles, textiles including the Shroud itself. This coating, which the author first discovered on Mayan artifacts, so distorts the carbon dating process that objects on which it is found (such as the Shroud) are actually significantly older than the data show. The scientific community has hailed Dr. Garza-Valdes's findings since this new knowledge is of significance for archaeologists around the world. For those interested in the mysterious history of the Shroud, it is again possible to regard this artifact as originating in the first century--and consequently as being the burial cloth of Jesus.

But Dr. Garza-Valdes's amazing discoveries did not end with this breakthrough. His examination of pieces of the Shroud under a microscope has revealed incredible clues consistent with the Scriptural accounts of the death of Jesus. Bacteria that produce acetic acid (vinegar) were isolated from the Shroud. Do they belong to the vinegar offered to Jesus before his death on the cross? Could human blood remnants that contain a man's DNA be traces of the blood of Jesus? Does it contain the DNA of God?

The DNA of God? is the fascinating story of this microbiologist's journey of discovery and of the earthshaking secrets he has revealed about the Shroud of Turin.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday (March 16, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385488505
• ISBN-13: 978-0385488501
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #911,199 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Extraordinary Journey!, December 13, 1999

By	Dean Orion (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

Dr. Garza-Valdes has brought the subject of the Shroud of Turin to the fore of world consciousness with electrifying illumination. His incredible journey into the world of ancient antiquity is thoroughly compelling and his scientific findings nothing less than extraordinary. Whether you believe the shroud to be authentic or a medieval forgery, this book will keep you riveted with every awe-inspiring page. The DNA OF GOD is a must read for anyone interested in the grail quest and the mysterious power held by one of the world's greatest treasures.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!, November 18, 2000

By A Customer

I read this book as part of a report I was doing. I found the evidence to be astounding. It really shows the inaccuracy of the Carbon-dating. We will never know how old the Shroud really is because of the biplastic coating that feeds on anaerobic conditions. I only hope that they don't place the Shroud in an oxygen-free container. That would be disastorous! I found Garza's book to be fabulous and enlightening. I plan on purchasing this book for my Uncle to read. What if this is the crucified body of Jesus? What a relic we hold in our mortal hands. For further reading, I recommend Ian Wilson's book and Mary and Alan Whanger's, "The Shroud of Turin: An Adventure of Discovery". This is another awesome book to read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Truth revealed by Science, May 1, 2006

By	Emerald "Emm" (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

I have known Dr. Garza for a number of years. He was my children's pediatrician. He is a wonderfully gifted doctor, and a lovely Christian man, one of the most peaceful individuals you will ever meet. He possesses a brilliant mind and truthful spirit.
I was not surprised to hear he had written a book and was very pleased when I read it. I have always thought that the Shroud of Turin was legitimate, but it is a true fact, things can be faked. His scientific proof, in my opinion is indisputable. At least there will always be a question in most people's minds thanks to the research and genius of this man.
The most fascinating chapter in the whole book, in my opinion, is the one where he reveals the pathology of the Shroud. The descriptions of the way in which Jesus died and the proof that the Shroud holds is amazing. Dr. Garza is a genius and associates with other genius's as intelligent and openminded as himself when it comes to scientific study. Everyone in the book who is used as a source is equally knowledgable and committed to presenting the scientific evidence , not in convincing people of the Shroud's authenticity. You must decide for yourself if it is real. This is a book that offers the evidence, you make the choice.

This book is loaded with proof interpreted by one of the most intelligent and analytical of minds. It is an interesting read whether you are Christian or not. Concrete proof is hard to argue with, and to me this is one of the main things the book has to offer. Most of what the book tells you cannot be found in any other book about the Shroud. It is a must read for Christians, Scientists, and all thinkers alike.