Re: Clay

On Aug 26, 10:10 pm, "Perplexed in Peoria" <jimmene...@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

For a 2005 introduction to the theory by A.G.Cairns-Smith
himself, try the article by him, entitled:

"Sketches for a Mineral Genetic Material"

...in this PDF file:

http://www.elementsmagazine.org/Elements_online/ELEM_V1n3.pdf

IMO, this is about as good an introduction to the idea as you will
find without getting the books.

Thanks for the link, Tim. For people who are not so interested in
clay, that magazine issue also carries excellent introductory articles
by Cody (on Wachtershauser-style hypotheses, my personal favorite) and
by Ferris (on RNA-first hypotheses). [...]

It is indeed a good issue for us OOLers.

Ferris presents this defense of the (ridiculous) RNA-first hypothesis:

"In spite of this remarkable, multi-faceted structure, many
scientists do not accept the RNA world hypothesis for the
origins of life because no plausible mechanism for the prebiotic
synthesis of RNA has been found. Those who reject
the proposal that the RNA world was initiated from RNA
monomers take the view that the first life used much simpler
monomer units that were formed more readily by prebiotic
processes. This unknown precursor to the RNA world
supposedly evolved into the more versatile, but chemically
less stable, RNA. However, no data at the present time
describe a plausible prebiotic synthesis of the monomers or
polymers of a potential pre-RNA."

I am not impressed :-(
--
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Relevant Pages

  • Re: Clay
    ... that magazine issue also carries excellent introductory articles ... synthesis of RNA has been found. ... monomers take the view that the first life used much simpler ...
    (talk.origins)
  • Re: SPECULATIONS ON THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE
    ... > some monomers of various cell structures. ... ever produced a nucleoside (RNA or DNA monomer). ... activated nucleotides, regardless of the purity of the supplied ...
    (sci.bio.evolution)