The discussion centers on the hypothesis of a single origin of life on Earth, questioning the existence of multiple foundation species. Evidence suggests that all known life shares common polymers, such as nucleic acids and protein catalysts, and consists of a limited subset of 22 amino acids from over 390 naturally occurring ones. The conversation highlights the probability argument surrounding life's origin and mentions ongoing research into non-DNA-based microbial life that may have existed during Earth's early history. Key references include the Miller-Urey experiment and various articles discussing the fundamental unity of life.
PREREQUISITESResearchers in astrobiology, molecular biologists, and anyone interested in the origins of life and the potential for alternative life forms in the universe.
Not necessarily. There is current active research looking for non-DNA-based microbial life here on Earth, assumedly left over from Earth's formative years. The idea that we've never seen evidence of it is that it would have slipped right through the cracks of all our current tests - whether that means not detected or merely not differentiated.Moridin said:It is, at its core, a probability argument.