It is widely accepted that life on earth appeared spontaneously by a random natural process about 3.8 billion years ago. It is rare that this orthodoxy is questioned in the corridors of academia or the mainstream media.
Why is this? Is there a mountain of evidence supporting this understanding? Are there sound theories supported by good science that show how plausible such an event would be here on this planet, or indeed anywhere in the Universe?
The short answer is No.
The fact is, as suggested in a recent review of the subject in Nature by one of the world's leading Origin of Life researchers, there is no evidence, and no viable theories showing how we go from the basic chemicals found on the early earth to the first cell. Other reviews and literature, by atheist and theist alike, have concluded the same, despite the general perception that the problem is all but solved.
In DNA The elephant in the lab, Dr Orson Wedgwood Ph.D. briefly looks at the acrimonious relationship between church and science in an attempt to understand why the current secular establishment may be less than completely honest on this subject. He then explains why any theory supporting a natural origin is, and will forever remain, illusive. Finally he determines whether there is evidence for an alternative explanation. This is not "The God of the Gaps", or "Intelligent Design", just an objective analysis of whether there is real measurable data supporting belief in some sort of "intelligent initiation".
This subject is central to answering the most important questions about our existence. Where do we come from and why are we here? This book will help anyone with a basic knowledge of science to get a better understanding of whether it was possible for the first life form to have arisen by random natural processes or whether "help" was needed, and whether there is evidence for such help.