5 ms·
The DNA would be sequenced, compared to Earth's life forms, and if no relation is found then it should be explained. For me it would exponentially increase the
by ffhhj 5y ago
The DNA would be sequenced, compared to Earth's life forms, and if no relation is found then it should be explained. For me it would exponentially increase the probabilities of more life in the Universe.
- Enginerrrd 5y agoIf DNA is found, it almost certainly indicates a common ancestor. The likelihood of DNA evolving twice from whatever separate self-reproducing protolifeforms came before it has to be unbelievably low.
- colordrops 5y agoWe only have a single sample of a life encoding mechanism such as DNA. We can't know if it's one of many possibilities, or the naturally emergent phenomenon for life, like stars and quartz crystals that would form the same way anywhere from the same basic components of our physical universe.
- mycall 5y agoSilcon is another possible mechanism similar to DNA. I forget the research on this. EDIT: Found this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothetical_types_of_biochemistry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothetical_types_of_biochemi...
- colordrops 5y agoSure, I wouldn't be surprised if it's possible, but the chances DNA emerging elsewhere aren't necessarily "unbelievable low".
- peterburkimsher 5y agoThe AI in this computer agrees ;D
- DrScump 5y agoOr this speculation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devil_in_the_Dark https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devil_in_the_Dark
- JumpCrisscross 5y agoSilicon is a post-ferrous element. There may be silicon-based life in the universe. But abundance of carbon and hydrogen, together with the superior stability of hydrocarbons relative to silanes, sort of seals the deal for everything but theoretical edge cases.
- dumbfoundded 5y agoIt's more complicated than that. A few of the considerations: * DNA/RNA are not the only options. Other nucleobases potentially exist and artificial ones have certainly been created (1) * A completely unique sequence would indicate no shared ancestor even if it was DNA. * We're not sure how life started on Earth either. It could've been more than once in more than one way. We don't know. * Earth and Mars shared material as asteroid impacts ejected material that eventually landed on the other. Some microorganisms could potentially survive the journey. (1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nucleobase https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nucleobase
- hoseja 5y agoWhy is this DNA/RNA/polynucleotide chauvinism so prevalent? It's one complex molecule in an infinite space of complex molecules, some of which might be more suitable as basis of life on other planets with other chemistries. Life does not equal chain of heterocycle-sugar-phosphates.
- hadlock 5y agoBased on the current sample size of one life bearing planet, DNA/RNA is the most durable example we have that produces results at this time. As soon as a second nucleotide is discovered as functional, this will be up for discussion.
- hoseja 5y ago"Based on the current sample size of one writing system having civilization, hieroglyphs are the most durable example we have that produces results at this time. As soon as a second way of record keeping is discovered as functional, this will be up for discussion."
- Razengan 5y agoBut we can infer that life could exist without DNA. It could be similar to our machines, made of different materials and replicating through other ways.
- DrScump 5y agoUnless there is life not based on DNA.
- sterlind 5y agoAssuming there's no current life on Mars (which seems likely), any past DNA would have been obliterated over the millennia. We'd find base pairs, possibly short oligos. Jurassic Park doesn't exist for a reason.
- Razengan 5y agoWhy do we assume life on other planets will have DNA?