About the origin of life

Abstract

The concept of primordial spontaneous generation, which has prevailed since antiquity, has been experimentally refuted in modern times. Attempts to generate life via a heterotrophic origin led to a dead end in the 20^th century. In the past 30 years, however, the CO₂ fixation pathways of anaerobic bacteria and archaea have indicated an autotrophic origin. This may have taken place in similar hydrothermal alkaline vents, which today are found close to the spreading axis of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between the North American and the North African continent.