Posted on 09/26/2008 1:37:25 AM PDT by Soliton
These molecules, called quinones, received considerable attention by the astrobiology community because they are common to all life forms. They are potentially significant for the “origin of life” or the habitability of planets. How does a planet become habitable?
“Molecules from space helped to make the Earth the pleasant place that it is today,” said Allamandola, founder of the Ames Astrochemistry Laboratory.
“Our findings were new because we showed how these molecules formed. It was already known that these molecules were in meteorites and delivered to the planets,” said Bernstein.
“We now understand why these life-like carbon compounds are raining down on the Earth and other planets. Knowing this will help us search for life on other worlds by distinguishing these molecules from biomarkers,” said Bernstein.
(Excerpt) Read more at sciencedaily.com ...
The “so what” is that we now know that the likelihood of life appearing throughout the universe is now ever so much greater. Great news.
Strictly speaking, this may explain how life got here, not the general origins of life.
I understand your point, but if you look at it again, you will see that it may explain the origin of carbon-based life everywhere in the universe (if it exists). The article isn't about life arriving on Earth, but the ingredients of carbon-based life being everywhere in the universe.
Such theories reveal 3 unwritten presumptions by their founders.
1) A continuity of being. There is a tremendous assumption that all matter and life is simply a product of previous processes, thereby framing all scientific investigation into a evolutionistic structure.
2) The universe as infinite. Just as equally, the boundary conditions of the universe are also easily solved as a finite structure, no longer implying the origin of life as being evolved, but is just as easily manifest as a creation from outside those bounds. However, the presumption of an infinite universe frames the study to reach predetermined conclusions.
3) That there are many, many, many things we do not know, but one thing we do know with absolute certainty, is that the Bible just couldn’t possibly be true. Accordingly, we will attempt to justify any theory by man made logical constructs, provided we can contradict things which have been reported by other reputable men as having been revealed by God, as a rebellious display of our personal arrogance.
You are wrong.
The only "assumption" is that the supernatural does not exist. This is based on the absolute fact that there is no scientific evidence for the existence of the supernatural. Current science says that the universe is finite. Many religions including the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglicans, the Methodists, and certain Jewish sects, have stated that evolution is consistent with their beliefs.
Haven't we had *enough* of Bill Clinton?
Cheers!
bmflr
added scientism keyword
The “so what” is that we now know that the likelihood of life appearing throughout the universe is now ever so much greater.Perhaps, but it also nullifies the claim that organic molecules like this are evidence for actual extraterrestrial life (a claim which was not widely accepted in the first place) as opposed to the potential for it. From the article:
Scientists at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. performed laboratory experiments that explain the process by which these meteoritic hydrocarbons attract the extra hydrogen and oxygen. They are very similar to the molecules identified as evidence of alien microbes in an earlier Science paper (McKay et al 1996)....
“We now understand why these life-like carbon compounds are raining down on the Earth and other planets. Knowing this will help us search for life on other worlds by distinguishing these molecules from biomarkers,” said Bernstein.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.