From: jgacker@neptune.gsfc.nasa.gov (James G. Acker)
Subject: To Joe Duffy and T.O. et al.  - re: Abiogenesis
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Organization: Computer Science, Indiana University
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 92 17:48:16 EDT
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	At the end of his most recent post (on my system, anyway)
Joseph Duffy hits the same conundrum that a previous poster, whose name
is now forgotten, also hit -- if it is possible to prove that there is
a point, a spot, a mere trivial connection, in the abiogenetic chain of
events which could NOT happen unless it was given a supernatural "push",
this would be outstanding evidence for the action of God.

	I apologize upfront -- Chris Stassen has provided good references
on abiogenesis which I have not had time to look up.

	I believe that the proper way to proceed in attempting this 
examination is to hypothesize that a supernatural "push" is _not 
necessary_, and therefore construct a natural chain of events which would lead
to a primitive cell.  This is what abiogenetic research is attempting to
do.  As stated before, the leading candidates are "RNA world" and
"clay life".  I believe either could take place at ocean floor "warm
springs", my favorite site for the reaction "chamber".

	I can't do anymore with abiogenesis without reading these leading
opinions.  I encourage others to take this up - I believe someone is
constructing an abiogenesis FAQ (which is sorely needed;  is that you,
Dan?)

	But briefly, these are some useful preliminary steps:

	1.  Synthesis of chemical precursors

	2.  Reaction of chemical precursors to form complex 
intermediates, specifically peptides --> proteins --> nucleic acids.

	3.  Formation of a lipo"sphere", creating high concentrations
within the sphere and a membrane exclusion process to help
eliminate harmful destructive species (free radicals).

	4.  Self-replication of a chemical entity.

The trigger for self-replication -- 
RNA self-catalysis, clay-surface catalysis, or 
other -- appears (to me) to be the "clincher".  Make this happen,
and God/supernatural intervention is not necessary for abiogenesis.
There are a lot of steps between self-replication and what would be
called "life", but these steps are primarily energy-related and 
"organizational" in a pre-cell.  By energy-related I mean the 
maintenance of energy-producing processes and elimination of by-products
(including heat).

	So, Joseph, and this is mild criticism -- making "life" might be
difficult.  Note, if we could prove abiogenesis end-to-end without the 
need for supernatural intervention, it still would not (and could never)
prove that supernatural intervention did not occur!  Only if a step
in the process was proven to REQUIRE supernatural intervention would 
a question arise in the minds of all scientists -- and they would then
devote their utmost powers of intellect to prove that supernatural
intervention is NOT required for that step.
	Why?
Not because they have a severe hatred of God, or any prior leaning
in a religious sense -- but because to entertain any semblance of 
creation and supernatural intervention in the natural history of the Earth
is anathema to science.  I.e. no scientist worth a whit will consider
the supernatural until all other avenues are exhausted.  So, it is going to
take a MOUNTAIN of evidence to convince "science" that even a modified
creation scenario should be entertained.
	This is as it should be.

	To paraphrase myself:  "The first glimmer of life on this planet,
by whatever process gave it rise, is the closest thing to a miraculous
event which, beyond the writings of science and religion, we all know
had to occur in Earth's entire history.  Perhaps it was a miracle --
we will never know for sure."

	I might add -- even if in the far future it is shown that life
is ubiquitous in the Universe, the organization of inorganic 
constituents into a living entity (even if it is only a proto-cell) will
constitute an astonishing process.  Can anyone deny that?
	Why would anyone want to?

	That is all.

	Jim Acker
	jgacker@neptune.gsfc.nasa.gov