PHONY SCIENCE: In my life time, first we were going to blow ourselves up with nuclear weapons,
Then we were going into an ice age.
Then we were overpopulated, 177 million when I was a kid,
Then the ozone layer was “damaged” and the world was going to burn up. Then we were going to starve to death for lack of food.
Then we were going to freeze to death in a new ice age. Now, global warming or an asteroid or … whatever makes the press.
Science Daily described the work in this way:
“A new type of methane-based, oxygen-free life form that can metabolize and reproduce similar to life on Earth has been modeled by a team of Cornell University researchers.”
This statement is not at all true. Even if the microscopic sphere could be produced by whatever means and survive in liquid methane it is not close to being alive. None of the known biochemical reactions of living systems would occur let alone be housed in such a vessel. Everything we know of biology is based on chemical reactions in water. Water is required of all biochemical reactions and is required for biology to proceed. This is why we look for water worlds within the habitable zone of solar systems.
This work, however, is based on what is believed to be available on Titan. The fundamental unit of such a membrane is acrylonitrile.
“Acrylonitrile — a colorless, poisonous, liquid organic compound used in the manufacture of acrylic fibers, resins and thermoplastics — is present in Titan’s atmosphere.”
Acrylonitrile is primarily used in the manufacture of acrylic and modacrylic fibers. It is also used as a raw material in the manufacture of plastics (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene and styrene-acrylonitrile resins), adiponitrile, acrylamide, and nitrile rubbers and barrier resins.
So it is colorless and falls into the class of organic compounds. But it is poisonous to life “as we know it.” Science daily quotes the PI of the research: “Said Stevenson: “Ours is the first concrete blueprint of life not as we know it.”” A blueprint of life not as we know it? This is like saying, “we have conceived of elephants flying.” It is not science. It is no science. It is nonsense! So what is the point? Publication? Push evolution where it has not gone before? I don’t know but it seems to be useless and vain tinkering with nonsense.
Exposure to acrylonitrile is primarily occupational: it is used in the manufacture of acrylic acid and modacrylic fibers. Acute (short-term) exposure of workers to acrylonitrile has been observed to cause mucous membrane irritation, headaches, dizziness, and nausea. No information is available on the reproductive or developmental effects of acrylonitrile in humans. Based on limited evidence in humans and evidence in rats, EPA has classified acrylonitrile as a probable human carcinogen (Group B1). This substance kills living cells.
From “featured research,” Science Daily. Date: February 27, 2015
- James Stevenson, Jonathan Lunine, Paulette Clancy. Membrane alternatives in worlds without oxygen: Creation of an azotosome. Science Advances, 2015 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1400067
Right on the money as always! The scary part about bad science (maybe not entirely, but pretty close) is not that its incorrect, but that people will follow, make decisions, and/or create policies based on these “findings.” Then we all have to live with their bad science! Great read.