Page 33 - The Origin of Life and the Universe - International Conference 2016

The Origin of Life and the Universe

with the help of many enzymes, and as a result of
extremely complex processes within the cell. The
ribosome is a complex cell organelle made up of
proteins. This leads, therefore, to another unreaso-
nable supposition-that ribosomes, too, should have
come into existence by chance at the same time.
Even Nobel Prize winner Jacques Monod, who
was one of the most fanatical defenders of evolution,
explained that protein synthesis can by no means
be considered to depend merely on the information
in the nucleic acids:
The code is meaningless unless translated. The
modern cell's translating machinery consists of at
least 50 macromolecular components, which are
themselves coded in DNA: the code cannot be
translated otherwise than by products of translation
themselves… When and how did this circle become
closed? It is exceedingly difficult to imagine. 3
How could an RNA chain in the primordial world
have taken such a decision, and what methods
could it have employed to make protein production
happen by doing the work of 50 macromolecular
components on its own? Evolutionists have no
answer to these questions.
Dr. Leslie Orgel, one of the associates of Stanley 1) A mRNA copy is made of the information in the DNA. 2) A Ribo-
Miller and Francis Crick from the University of Cali- some gets prepared for protein synthesis. 3) mRNA goes to the cy-
fornia at San Diego, uses the term "scenario" for toplasm, that is, to the ribosomes. 4) Transfer RNAs move freely in
the possibility of "the origination of life through the the cytoplasm. 5) mRNA settles in the protein synthesis site of ribo-
somes. 6) In the ribosomes, messenger RNA and transfer RNA inter-
RNA world." Orgel described what kind of features act with each other and bind. Amino acids that are properly
this RNA would have had to have and how impossible positioned are joined by peptide bonds in the correct sequence to
these would have been in his article, "The Origin of form proteins. 7) Transfer RNA collects the amino acids in the cyto-
Life," published in American Scientist in October plasm and transfers them to the ribosome.
1994:
When the need is felt for a protein in a cell, a signal is sent
This scenario could have occurred, we noted, if to the DNA molecule. The DNA molecule receiving the signal
prebiotic RNA had two properties not evident today: understands which protein is needed. Then the DNA makes
A capacity to replicate without the help of proteins an RNA copy carrying specific information for making a pro-
and an ability to catalyze every step of protein tein, which is called messenger RNA. After receiving the in-
synthesis. 4 formation, mRNA leaves the nucleus and heads straight for
As should by now be clear, to expect these two the ribosomes, the protein production factory. At the same
complex and extremely essential processes from a time, another RNA copied from the DNA, called transfer
molecule such as RNA is only possible from the RNA, carries the amino acids for the proteins to the ribo-
evolutionist's viewpoint and with the help of his somes. Each tRNA is an "adapter" molecule that can link
power of imagination. Concrete scientific facts, on with a specific amino acid. The tRNA which carries the
the other hand, make it explicit that the "RNA World" amino acid sequence information of the protein to be
hypothesis, which is a new model proposed for the formed settles in the production site of the ribosome. The
amino acids brought by the tRNA take their places accord-
chance formation of life, is an equally implausible ing to the sequence notified by the messenger RNA. Then
fable.
another RNA molecule copied from DNA, called ribosomal
1- John Horgan, "In the Beginning", Scientific American, vol. 264, February 1991, p. RNA, enables the messenger and transfer RNAs to join to-
119 gether. Amino acids brought in by the transfer RNAs develop
2- G.F. Joyce, L. E. Orgel, "Prospects for Understanding the Origin of the RNA
World", In the RNA World, New York: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1993, peptide bonds to form protein chains. The messenger RNAs
p. 13 leave the ribosome having deposited their loads. The protein
3- Jacques Monod, Chance and Necessity, New York: 1971, p.143
4- Leslie E. Orgel, "The Origin of Life on the Earth", Scientific American, October that is produced then proceeds to where it will be used.
1994, vol. 271, p. 78
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