Abiogenesis, bigenesis, and whatnot

[Redneck Crow]

Howdy, y'all!

TE's realize the the ToE is not one of how life came to exist in the first place. However, it is brought up often when addressing evolutionary process.

I think we could use a thread here that discusses the theories of how life arose, since it is a related issue. I'll be the first to admit--I don't know much about this area, and it's one that I'd like to know more about.

I'll start off with a link to some of the theories that have arisen to describe the origin of life. Anyone who cares to add or discuss this or just toss in any good links they've found or their opinion is more than welcome. If anyone wants to start up a thread in the Origins Theology section or the section that is open to all members, please leave a link in here--I'd be interested in that thread as well.

 

[Kahalachan]

Howdy, y'all!

TE's realize the the ToE is not one of how life came to exist in the first place. However, it is brought up often when addressing evolutionary process.

I think we could use a thread here that discusses the theories of how life arose, since it is a related issue. I'll be the first to admit--I don't know much about this area, and it's one that I'd like to know more about.

I'll start off with a link to some of the theories that have arisen to describe the origin of life. Anyone who cares to add or discuss this or just toss in any good links they've found or their opinion is more than welcome. If anyone wants to start up a thread in the Origins Theology section or the section that is open to all members, please leave a link in here--I'd be interested in that thread as well.

What we have so far works for me. The first prokaryote arose from the oceans. The chemicals that make up cells bond naturally, after all cells don't fall apart, so I don't think that it's hard to fathom them coming together to form a simple cell after millions of years.

 

[shernren]

What's important in discussions is to maintain a clear boundary between abiogenesis by chemical evolution, and spontaneous generation. Spontaneous generation involves the formation of macroscopic, multicellular organisms with taxonomic continuity with other life-forms. That is not abiogenesis (in the sense we take it to mean), and since spontaneous generation was ascribed to creatures whose characteristics we now attribute to evolutionary relationships, it would be a big blow to evolution if spontaneous generation was an important principle in forming living beings.

 

[steen]

A very good outline is on talk.origin. While it deals mostly with evolution, it does have a small segment on Abiogenesis, incl a very good overview of what would be necessary for a self-replicating entity to arise:
http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/abioprob/abioprob.html

 

[Redneck Crow]

Nice link, steen! Thanks!