The debate between creationists and evolutions will probably continue for quite some times and neither will convince the other. As true as that might be I find it quite extraordinary that research results in favour of evolution and abiogenesis pile up almost a daily yet creationists stand firm in their belief that there is no evidence supporting evolution nor abiogenesis. The recent research which I will briefly discuss below is one of countless articles published recently supporting abiogenesis contrarily to creationists believes.
One of the objections against abiogenesis (the natural development of life from non-biological processes) is that scientists have been unable to demonstrate abiogenesis. Even though the question remains unanswered doesn’t proof creationism.
Most researchers agree that it is highly unlikely that molecules like RNA and DNA could form spontaneously from a non-biological environment due to their complex structure. The hypothesis is that some simpler ancestral molecule must have been responsible for the first genetic molecules.
Their research paid off when researchers illustrated that genetic information can be transcribed from a molecule called TNA (threose nucleic acid) to DNA and back to TNA. They were able to show that TNA, although chemically different from DNA and RNA is able to interact with DNA and RNA, and are also self-replicating.
Due to TNA’s simplicity compared to RNA it is more likely that it could form spontaneously in a non-biological environment. TNA or a similar molecule is therefore able to set the stage for the development of RNA and eventually the first life on earth.
Before making all sorts of conclusions and assumptions it is important to note that this research does not proof abiogenesis, it is merely one step closer to understanding abiogenesis. The fact that this research does not answer the final question about the origins of life is not positive proof of intelligent design neither is it proof that abiogenesis is impossible. This research is just another scientific “arrow” pointing in the direction of abiogenesis but at the same time an arrow point away from intelligent design and creationism.
I would suggest you also read http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130321151933.htm to get a better understanding of TNA and its possible role in abiogenesis.
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