Two new reports refute the idea that life arose in a quiet environment on this planet. The earliest memories of life on Earth. Mojzsis, S.J., et al. 1996. Evidence for life on Earth before 3,800 million years ago.
Fossils show early diversity of life.
Meeting on the possibility of life in the solar system. Royal Society, London. Meteorite may carry organic Martian cargo. Cowen, R. 1996. Meteorite Hints at Early Life on Mars.