[ahayes]

Since structural organic chemistry was practically nonexistant at that time, Pasteur can hardly be cited as an authority as to what chemical reactions are and are not possible. All Pasteur demonstrated was that organisms identical to already existing organisms cannot spring into existence fully formed in a matter of months. This demonstration has no resemblance to the origin of life on earth.

[cornelis]

Very well put. I'd offer some minor additions, if you'll let me. We understand that Pasteur's experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis of spontaneous generation. He concluded there was no spontaneity.

Have there been any experiments since then to make his observation obsolete?