The scourge of evolution has re-emerged−this time with renewed vengeance.Scientists have long known that extremely low levels of free-oxygen [< 10-5] atmosphere on early Earth are critical for any viable origin of life model of evolution.
The atmospheric concentration of oxygen in the origin of life controversy stems from the laws of organic chemistry. The autonomous assembly of complex organic molecules has only been observed in an oxygen-free atmosphere.
Geophysicists Stephen C. Meyer of the University of Cambridge notes in Signature in the Cell that “even a small amount of atmospheric oxygen will quench the production of biologically significant building blocks and cause biomolecules otherwise present to degrade rapidly.” Oxygen-free has not always been an evolution scourge, however.
A research team led by Michael Blaber of Florida State University College of Medicine recently reported a solution to a problem with the “protein-first,” also known as the protein self-assembly origin of life theory. The issue involves protein folding. Biologically active proteins are only functional when folded into specific molecular structures.
Blaber presented evidence demonstrating the folding of proteins through a self-assembly origin of life process. The fold-ability of proteins into specific structures is essential to perform cellular functions. While the team’s approach aligns with Charles Darwin’s theory, protein self-assembly origin of life is competing with the more popular “RNA-first” origin of life theory.
Darwin ascribed to the “protein-first” theory. In a letter to his closest friend, Joseph D. Hooker, in 1871, speculating on how the origin of life might have happened, Darwin wrote –
“The first production of a living organism [stemmed from]… in a warm little pond with all sorts of ammonia & phosphoric salts, −light, heat, electricity, &c present, that a protein compound was chemically formed, ready to undergo more complex changes”
“The origin of life on Earth is a scientific problem,” according to WIKIPEDIA, “which is not yet solved. There are many ideas but few clear facts.” To address this issue, in 2013, Princeton University hosted an international origin of life conference.
In the nineteenth century, the “spontaneous generation” theory had long been the natural explanation for the origin of life, starting in Greek philosophy. Even Charles Darwin, centuries later, in The Origin of Species (1859), endorsed the theory.
The famous French microbiologist Louis Pasteur, however, proved the origin of life was anything but “spontaneous.” For the finding, the French Academy of Sciences awarded the Alhumbert Prize to Pasteur in 1862. Since then, a consensus on a replacement theory remained unfinished business.
To develop a consensus for the long-defunct “spontaneous generation” theory, researchers from Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Mexico, and Japan, representing twenty-seven institutions, gathered for thirty-nine presentations at the Princeton Center for Theoretical Science (PCTS).
Origin of life researchers collected “new insights” from a new paper entitled “The origin of membrane biogenetics,” published in the December issue of the journal Cell. The media elevated the hype into an origin-of-life sea saga spectacle.
The journal Nature covered the paper in an article entitled “How life emerged from deep-sea rocks” by Ed Yong. The subtitle. “The origin of ion-pumping proteins could explain how life began in and escaped from undersea thermal vents,” seemed to seal the deal.
NBCNEWS.com featured the story with the title “Theorists are pumped up about their new origin of life proposal” by Tia Ghose. “A new theory proposes the primordial life-forms that gave rise to all life on Earth left deep-sea vents,” reported Ghose, “because of their ‘invention’ of a tiny pump.”
Life originated in “a warm little pond,” Charles Darwinwrote to Joseph J. Hooker, the founder of geographical botany within Darwin’s circle of colleagues. How, where, and when the first species get started, however, completely escaped Darwin. In contemplating the origin of life dilemma, Darwin noted in his autobiography –
“The mystery of the beginning of all things is insoluble by us, and I, for one, must be content to remain an agnostic.”
The “mystery of the beginning” has continued into the twenty-first century. With the development of modern technologies, however, scientists now have unparalleled opportunities. Many individuals and organizations have launched origin of life initiatives to solve “the hardest question in science.”
Darwin, Then and Now, the Most Amazing Story in the History of Science, is a chronicle of who Darwin was, how he developed his theory, specifically what he said, and what scientists have discovered since the publication of The Origin of Species in 1859.
The book traces the rise and fall of evolution's popularity as a scientifically valid theory. With over 1,000 references from Darwin and scientists, Darwin Then and Now retraces developments in the most amazing story in the history of science. DarwinThenandNow.com focuses on understanding the intersection of biological evolution and science.
The scourge of evolution has re-emerged−this time with renewed vengeance. Scientists have long known that extremely low levels of free-oxygen [< 10-5] atmosphere on early Earth are critical for any viable origin of life model of evolution.
“The origin of life on 
Origin of life researchers collected “new insights” from a new paper entitled “
Life originated in “a warm little pond,” 