Scientists have recently taken a significant step in understanding the universal laws that govern life, including potential extraterrestrial forms and artificial organisms created in laboratories. A study published in the scientific journal Interface Focus, available in the public domain, represents a collaborative effort by researchers from the Santa Fe Institute. The study delves into the factors that limit the diversity of life forms and establish the fundamental principles of life’s existence.
The researchers examined numerous examples from various scientific fields such as thermodynamics, computing systems, genetics, cell development, neurobiology, ecology, and evolution. Their analysis revealed universal prerequisites essential for life as we know it. These prerequisites include entropy reduction, closed cellular structures, and information integration. Living organisms must possess the ability to repair damage, uphold the stability of their structures, and efficiently process energy. All forms of life are rooted in distinctly separated units, like cells, that offer autonomy and protection. Complex life forms inevitably feature systems akin to a brain that facilitate environmental and internal analysis, decision-making, and action coordination.
The history of science attests to a universal logic that dictates the laws of life. In the mid-20th century, physicist Erwin Schrödinger hypothesized that genetic information is stored in molecules resembling “aperiodic crystals,” which laid the groundwork for future DNA discoveries. Mathematical models predicting the presence of parasites in complex ecosystems eventually found validation through observations of biological systems.
The insights drawn from this study also hold pivotal implications for the quest to identify extraterrestrial life. If these universal laws apply universally to all living systems, we can anticipate the potential appearance of organisms beyond Earth. This knowledge aids in determining the indicative signs to seek within data collected via telescopes or spacecraft.
Moreover, the study sheds light on constraints faced in the development of artificial organisms. It underscores that even the most ambitious lab experiments must adhere to the fundamental principles of physics and biology to generate sustainable systems.
The scientists’ work underscores the importance of an interdisciplinary approach in comprehending life. Ranging from thermodynamics to evolution, all interconnections illustrate that life adheres to a universal logic. These discoveries propel us closer to unraveling the origins of life on Earth as well as its plausible manifestations beyond our world.