# Could biogenesis still be happening on earth? (not a debate about evolution)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-biogenesis-still-be-happening-on-earth-not-a-debate-about-evolution/84538>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 29, 2001, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-biogenesis-still-be-happening-on-earth-not-a-debate-about-evolution/84538 "2001-09-29T23:06:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2001, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-biogenesis-still-be-happening-on-earth-not-a-debate-about-evolution/84538/21 "2001-10-01T09:59:24Z")

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We are not going to have a debate here about the cause of the origin of life. If you want to debate, please visit the GD thread that **Dr. Lao** linked to above.

bibliophage  
moderator GQ

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**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2001, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-biogenesis-still-be-happening-on-earth-not-a-debate-about-evolution/84538/22 "2001-10-01T10:05:26Z")

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Thanks **bibliophage**

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**Author:** ![Phobos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Phobos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phobos)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2001, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-biogenesis-still-be-happening-on-earth-not-a-debate-about-evolution/84538/23 "2001-10-01T13:41:35Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Mangetout \*  
> Could it be happening again right now in a puddle somewhere, or do the prevailing conditions prevent it?

One big problem. The ecological niches are filled. Any new self replicating molecule would be a easy appetizer for modern bacteria.

Any new abiogenesis event would need a safe haven for a long time in order to get a foothold. Even then, modern species are well suited to today’s environment and would probably out-compete any new life form without breaking a sweat.

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**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2001, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-biogenesis-still-be-happening-on-earth-not-a-debate-about-evolution/84538/24 "2001-10-01T14:36:55Z")

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Phew!, for a moment there, I was expecting the arrival of the IPU.

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