Unraveling Life's Minimal Conditions: Beyond Schrödinger's "What is Life?"

Thread starter ryokan
Start date Aug 25, 2004
Tags

Conditions Life

Click For Summary

The discussion centers on the definition of life, particularly in the context of molecular genetics and extremophiles. It questions whether carbon is essential for life and explores the nature of viruses and prions, debating if they qualify as living entities. Frank J. Tipler's ideas on silicon-based life and consciousness are examined, with some participants challenging his definitions and implications, such as the notion that automobiles could be considered alive. The conversation also touches on the complexities of consciousness and learning as defining characteristics of life, suggesting that a single definition may be elusive. Overall, the thread highlights the ongoing debate about what constitutes life in various forms and conditions.

Oct 22, 2004

ryokan

Another Asilomar?

Manipulation of biological systems seems today too easy, and it involves serious risks, besides obvious potentials to Medicine and Basic Science.
In 1975, a similar worry arose from the new DNA recombinant technologies. But now, the potential to change living forms is greater and could be amplified by the potential to access to databases of virulent microbial genetic sequences through Internet. Besides a risk of bioterrorism, there is a potential of serious hazardous side effects.