[BroJoeK]

WhiskeyX: "The remaining steps upwards in complexity to RNA, DNA, and cellular structures are under intensive research and show many encouraging signs of being solved in the not too distant future."

On a geological time scale, of course, meaning anytime now in the next few million years. ;-)

[WhiskeyX]

“On a geological time scale, of course, meaning anytime now in the next few million years.”

It may be as little as a few years or decades. They are already producing self replicating organic systems that are the key to RNA and DNA. See for one example:

Chemists edge closer to recreating early life

09 January 2009

http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2009/January/09010901.asp

[WhiskeyX]

Scientists Create First Synthetic Cell

An organism controlled by completely manmade DNA can grow and reproduce.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRzrYNVXF28