Beyond Biology

[cabinetman]

I was reading an article about the "new biology studies", and there are similarities between Astrobiology, Exobiology, and Xenobiology. I had to look up some details, and ran across an interesting term "Shadow Life" which refers to life forms that are accessible but that have not been detected by us. An example of shadow life might be a species of microorganisms that do not use RNA or DNA as their genetic code (Wiki).

Makes one wonder what life forms could be based on other than carbon and water. Maybe there are "aliens" somewhere.
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[crokett]

Star Trek covered this back in the 60s'. There was an episode where they encountered a silicone based lifeform that ate rock.

[Uncle Cracker]

I have encountered a venomous, otherworldly lifeform based on vodka and bullsh!t... my ex..

[cwithboat]

Star Trek covered this back in the 60s'. There was an episode where they encountered a silicone based lifeform that ate rock.

Not silicone, silicon. Major difference.

[germdoc]

Not silicone, silicon. Major difference.

I think Kirk encountered the silicone-based life form on occasion as well...

[cwithboat]

I think Kirk encountered the silicone-based life form on occasion as well...

well I did say there was a difference.

[germdoc]

Man I wish I had his job...

[germdoc]

Back to the original topic--here's one for you. How about prions? They are aberrant versions of proteins made by your body that don't fold the way they should. (The purpose of these proteins is still unknown.) When they develop due to mutation or genetics, they accumulate and cause death of cells in the brain. When they come into contact with the normal protein, they cause it to fold in the abnormal way, therefore inducing more prions.

When they are introduced into another human (or animal) they do the same thing. Think about it: a very slightly abnormal version of a normal human protein that is self-propagating, infectious and 100% fatal. It's just a protein--no DNA or RNA, doesn't have a "will to live", doesn't obey Darwinian laws. Is it a "living organism"?

[docrowan]

If you ever want to see the dictionary stumble, look up the definition for the word "life".

[cabinetman]

Back to the original topic--here's one for you. How about prions? They are aberrant versions of proteins made by your body that don't fold the way they should. (The purpose of these proteins is still unknown.) When they develop due to mutation or genetics, they accumulate and cause death of cells in the brain. When they come into contact with the normal protein, they cause it to fold in the abnormal way, therefore inducing more prions.

When they are introduced into another human (or animal) they do the same thing. Think about it: a very slightly abnormal version of a normal human protein that is self-propagating, infectious and 100% fatal. It's just a protein--no DNA or RNA, doesn't have a "will to live", doesn't obey Darwinian laws. Is it a "living organism"?

While all that is probably true, I understand that the protein does not itself self-replicate and the process is dependent on the presence of the polypeptide in the host organism. But, I am familiar with those genetically structured cells called "peons", which are abundant in our society.
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