[editor-surveyor]

"After the efforts of thousands of scientists all over the world involving millions of man-hours of dedicated research using billions of dollars worth of the latest hi-tech biogen equipment, a primitive RNA molecule, based on existing RNA molecules, has been synthesized, proving once and for all that no intelligence is necessary for life to have started abiogenically."

Are you questioning the intelligence of those millions of "scientists?"

[El Cid]

I took it as a sarcastic dig...

[MyTwoCopperCoins]

After the efforts of thousands of scientists all over the world involving millions of man-hours of dedicated research using billions of dollars worth of the latest hi-tech biogen equipment, a primitive RNA molecule, based on existing RNA molecules, has been synthesized, proving once and for all that no intelligence is necessary for life to have started abiogenically.

The crucial difference being the timespan allowed. Billions of years vs. a few manhours. I'm surprised you overlooked this. [/sarc]

[Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus]

I love it. Joyce and Lincoln specially design a molecule out of two precursor molecules which already have well-known self-replication properties, engage in further "lab tinkering" so as to encourage self-replication, and then set up specific experimental designs which are meant to encourage the molecule to "mutate" in the right direction.

So, I guess they just experimentally demonstrated intelligent design, right?