Do we know WHERE life began on Earth?

[Backdrifter]

We know there are theories about HOW life began but has there ever been any attempt to work out where? So that we can say, just behind that palm tree, or under that Tesco's parking space, or next to that drain, is where the first RNA stirred into life?

Almost a spooky thought isn't it.

[mibn2cweus]

I'm pretty sure mine began in a dark warm moist cavern somewhere but I can not bring myself to contemplate the details to deeply. Dear Lord, tell me it wasn't in Tesco's parking lot . . .

[rov1100]

Backdrifter you obviously have not been to church recently. They have all the facts stored for posterity in hard backed volumes.

[weecalf]

I can reveal that life began in a place called Forty .Cause how often have you heard the old agage .Life begins at 40

[wildwood]

lol @ weecalf

[beso]

The leading hypothesis in abiogenesis is that it formed in "white smokers". These are alkaline hydrothermal vents in Olivine strata on the ocean floor. They produce the mineral Serpentine.

The electrochemical process in the conversion is exactly the same as the most basic metabolic reaction found in every life form and occurs in mineral cells similar in size to primitive biological cells.

[BertiWooster]

// Wherever, whenever, however life began, odds on that as soon as the second microbe splurged into life, one of them made a lame joke to the other. //

It said -
'' Hi there you just beat me to it ''

[rainblue]

Bound to be a "Blue Plaque" somewhere.

[rainblue]

Bound to be a "Blue Plaque" somewhere.

[theprof]

I'm here! I'm here! Sorry for my absence but I'm currently in a California university advising on a research project that's kept me busy for close on a fortnight. Right now it's 2.09pm so you can guess where I am! Can't wait to wake mrsprof up at 6.00pm local time tonight!!

Anyhow, to answer the question, no we have never known where life began on earth nor never will. Leaving aside the issues of continental drift etc, there is no method of establishing this information and indeed, current thinking does seem to point to a distinct possibility that life began more or less simultaneously at a number of locations. How many locations? We'll never know.

Researching this question is futile and I'm afraid that no institution academic or otherwise would put up the money required to research the question. You have to remember that in the absence of hard evidence, any research conclusions would be subject to at worst, ridicule or at best, challenge. The risk to academic reputation under these circumstances is immense.

jake, molecular biologists worldwide are addressing the issue of viral genesis but have not come to any firm conclusions to date. I have my own theory on the matter which is certainly feasible and without flaws as far as I can see but it may not be entirely accurate. No doubt my former esteemed colleague Dawkins also has his own opinion - it's unfortunate that he no longer posts on AB.