Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: Bob Archibald on 11/04/2010 17:30:03

Title: Why haven't scientists been able to create life in the lab
Post by: Bob Archibald on 11/04/2010 17:30:03

Bob Archibald asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Perhaps a meteorite crashed into the earth and combined with terrestrial material and gases to kick start simple forms of life? 

Given how much we know about microbes and their DNA and chemical content, why haven't scientists been able to create simple living organism from scratch in a lab?

What do you think?

Title: Why haven't scientists been able to create life in the lab
Post by: Bored chemist on 11/04/2010 19:46:52

Actually, from time to time, they probably have. They have probably also done it on the kitchen table and in the back of their dad's car.
However creating life from scratch is quite difficult and not really very helpful. The ethics might get complicated too.

Title: Why haven't scientists been able to create life in the lab
Post by: RD on 12/04/2010 06:55:13

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=28173.0

Title: Why haven't scientists been able to create life in the lab
Post by: thedoc on 11/05/2010 17:40:06

Go to the podcast page. (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/show/2010.05.09/)
or [chapter podcast=2579 track=10.05.09/Naked_Scientists_Show_10.05.09_6225.mp3](https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenakedscientists.com%2FHTML%2Ftypo3conf%2Fext%2Fnaksci_podcast%2Fgnome-settings-sound.gif&hash=f2b0d108dc173aeaa367f8db2e2171bd) Listen to the Answer Now[/chapter] or [download as MP3] (http://nakeddiscovery.com/downloads/split_individual/10.05.09/Naked_Scientists_Show_10.05.09_6225.mp3)