Forget all terminologies and theories.
You should read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick.
Not everything can be solved with science. Sometimes an in-depth
imagination of possible fiction can do more than science.
Brian M Burkhart wrote in message <35EDB891.126A732E at hwi.buffalo.edu>...
>Stefanie Greve wrote:
>>> What do you think might be an appropriate definition of life? The mere
>> existence of DNA or rather small Macromolecules as in Prions?
>>>>Prions are not alive. They are a toxic substance produced in certain
organisms under specialized conditions.
>They are more of a toxin than anything else. They exhibit their toxic
activity by converting a naturllay
>occurring protein into a malfolded, toxic one through template driven
assembly. Viruses in many ways are
>similar. Viruses appear to be 'escaped' genes that find a way to
reproduce. So maybe prions are escaped
>proteins that find a way to reproduce.
>>BMB
>>--
>Brian M Burkhart, Ph.D.
>Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute
>73 High Street Buffalo, NY 14203
>Phone: (716)856-9600 x313 FAX: (716)852-6086
>>>
