This is amazing news (from WaPo):
DNA building blocks found in meteorites
By Brian Vastag, Published: August 8
For 50 years, scientists have debated whether the components of DNA — the molecule central to all life on Earth — could spontaneously form in space. A new analysis of a dozen meteorites found in Antarctica and elsewhere presents the strongest evidence yet that the answer is yes.
The only problem I have with their conclusion is that the DNA building blocks could “spontaneously form in space.” I think it’s conjecture to suggest they just “sprung into being” because that’s impossible. Somehow those building blocks got into the meteorites—we just don’t know how.
A better way to put the claim: we don’t, as yet, know how the DNA building blocks found their way into the meteorites but finding them there is an important part of understanding how life began on Earth.”
Just my ¥2, as always…
