That is an interesting idea, that proteins (or proto-proteins) predate genetics. Now I am trying to think about how proto-proteins would have first evolved towa

That is an interesting idea, that proteins (or proto-proteins) predate genetics. Now I am trying to think about how proto-proteins would have first evolved towards creating genetic polymers that replicate themselves. Or maybe the genetic polymer was the best self replicating pattern, and life evolved as a side product?