"Supporters of the view that nucleic acid
replication arose first have generally argued
that only a self replicating system can
provide the basis on which selection can
build a cooperative functional unit...."

I disagree for two reasons - the first is
chemical selection ('changes in the composition
of non reproductive or poorly reproductive
molecules...' Strickberger)

"...In the absence of self replication, function
presumably would quickly disappear and the
'organism' could not maintain itself..."

Not true. An environmentally forced replication
would do better, last longer, and give a longer
grace period (with little protein) to perfect 
the system. I suggest
a heat cycle of denaturing and annealing nucleotide
hybrids in two ways - unfolding of single strand
folded up RNA and 'reading'
it: or like PCR, the denaturing of strands and annealing
them in new hybrid forms.

Also note there is no such thing as SELF replication.
All replication is tied to the environmental temperature
and could not happen at extremes of temp.

"...Scientists have sought for an autocatalytic process
to explain the origin of a 'naked gene' that could replicate
itself without the help of proteins."

The non random, heat cycle caused by the sun (hot-dry/
cool wet, with UV etc.) would be the process that could
replicate molecules without the help of much protein for
the early stage. (quotes from Evolution, Strickberger)

Comment
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 * RgateImp.MoonDog.BBS at 6/14/04 5:14:59 PM