[aposiopetic]

Acetylene and hydrogen cyanide can link up together in the presence of water to form some of the chemical units of life's most essential compounds, DNA and protein.

This is somewhat fuller a disclosure. Given these starting materials, a whole lot of reaction products are possible, not just the (non-sulfur) amino acids and the purines and pyrimidines. (With me in the lab, for instance, the yield of the desired products would reasonably be expected to be low. :) Still need some phosphorus, too, for RNA or DNA, but it's a good start, and certainly nothing to sneeze at.

[RightWhale]

Most of what I know about these chemicals is that they must be handled with care. For example, an acetylene tank should be stored always upright. Should implies obligation. If an actetylene tank is found on its side, it should be treated as an IED. Hydrogen cyanide, and even oxygen are deadly in the wrong place at the wrong time. Interesting that we seem to be thriving in such a hostile environment.

[Elsie]

Still need some phosphorus, too, for RNA or DNA, but it's a good start, and certainly nothing to sneeze at.

I wholeheartedly agree!

A sneeze DOES contain 'life' and it could contaminate the 'results'!