NASA says space DNA is for real

William Atkins
Tuesday, 09 August 2011 23:14

Science - Space

New research by NASA scientists have added to the mounting scientific evidence that meteorites can carry components of DNA, the building block of life, which were created in outer space.

Scientists from around the world have detected deoxyribonucleic acid (commonly called DNA) in meteorites since the 1960s.

DNA is the twisted double strand double helix that carries the genetic information found in living organisms (except for some viruses). The presence of DNA in living things, such as humans, allows hereditary characteristics to be passed from one generation to the next.

However, these scientists were never sure whether these DNA molecules were (1) naturally created in space or (2) artificially transported into space by our rockets, spacecraft, and astronauts.

According to the NASA article NASA Research Shows DNA Building Blocks Can Be Made in Space, 'The latest research indicates certain nucleobases -- the building blocks of our genetic material -- reach the Earth on meteorites in greater diversity and quantity than previously thought.'

NASA adds, 'The discovery adds to a growing body of evidence that the chemistry inside asteroids and comets is capable of making building blocks of essential biological molecules.'

This new evidence was established after scientists examined samples of carbon-based meteorites found in the Antarctica. The meteorites contained adenine (A) and guanine (Q), two component bases of DNA.

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