Yes, there are even competing theories of DNA versus RNA as the sort of precursor self-replicating molecules. See "RNA World" and "Primordial Soup" theories. R

Yes, there are even competing theories of DNA versus RNA as the sort of precursor self-replicating molecules. See "RNA World" and "Primordial Soup" theories. RNA makes for an interesting candidate because of enzymatic activity. Similar molecules could enzymatically consume, build, and "compete" with one another. To my knowledge, there are many computer simulations, but I don't know an exact figure for "how long would it take given X (some axiom of the state of the Earth). Here's a paper I found quickly. I promise I didn't choose that institute/university on purpose. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0303264706001134 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S03032... The panspermia hypothesis is also supported rather recently. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6900709 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6900709