DNA Building Blocks Can Be Made in Space, NASA Evidence Suggests

[HysteryDiagnosis]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110808220659.htm


Meteorites contain a large variety of nucleobases, an essential building block of DNA. (Credit: Artist's concept courtesy of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Chris Smith)

ScienceDaily (Aug. 9, 2011) — NASA-funded researchers have evidence that some building blocks of DNA, the molecule that carries the genetic instructions for life, found in meteorites were likely created in space. The research gives support to the theory that a "kit" of ready-made parts created in space and delivered to Earth by meteorite and comet impacts assisted the origin of life.


Snip>>Thirdly, the team found these nucleobases -- both the biological and non-biological ones -- were produced in a completely non-biological reaction. "In the lab, an identical suite of nucleobases and nucleobase analogs were generated in non-biological chemical reactions containing hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, and water. This provides a plausible mechanism for their synthesis in the asteroid parent bodies, and supports the notion that they are extraterrestrial," says Callahan.

"In fact, there seems to be a 'goldilocks' class of meteorite, the so-called CM2 meteorites, where conditions are just right to make more of these molecules," adds Callahan.<<

[eppur_se_muova]

1. It's been known for a very long time that HCN, NH3. and H2O can make these compounds.

First saw this described back when I was in jr. high, back in the 70's.

So this "may" have happened in outer space, and it "may" have happened on the surface of the Earth, probably on a much larger scale. The idea of an extraterrestial origin of life seems to be going through a fad lately, but not because of any convincing new science, IMHO.

see the first few pages of this article for a review: http://physwww.mcmaster.ca/~higgsp/3D03/OrgelRNAWorld.pdf