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To: BroJoeK
A basic question is: when & how does interesting organic chemistry first become the simplest possible form of life?

Current hypotheses & models are, well, light-years beyond the 1952 Miller–Urey experiments, and while fascinating cannot be called confirmed theories. So far, any abiogenic origin ideas can still be falsified and panspermia (non-Earth origins) cannot be ruled out.

Not sure what you mean by "light-years beyond" here. My non-expert impression is that there was an expectation a few decades ago that the origin of life was about to be demonstrated--but it was completely dashed and the matter turned out to have intractable difficulties that were not previously anticipated. After this kind of correction by reality, it seems to me a bit premature to presume science is progressing toward showing abiogenisis to be feasible. While as far as I know, it might be, I think it rather fallacious to presume it. How about keeping an open enough mind to the possibility that the meta-physical framework might be different, and perhaps abiogensis is not the explanation of life? I suspect this is uncomfortable for many, but being rational is not always about comfort.

22 posted on 03/04/2017 6:05:29 PM PST by AndyTheBear
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To: AndyTheBear; central_va; lasereye
AndyTheBear: "it seems to me a bit premature to presume science is progressing toward showing abiogenisis to be feasible.
While as far as I know, it might be, I think it rather fallacious to presume it."

Two books I've read give a summary of recent work & discoveries in this area.
In these books Miller-Urey is mentioned, briefly, but the major reports are on work since then -- very interesting, imho.

Andy Pross: "What is Life? How Chemistry Becomes Biology"
Nick Lane: The Vital Question, Energy, Evolution and the Origins of Complex Life"


23 posted on 03/05/2017 4:11:31 AM PST by BroJoeK (a little historical perspective...)
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