One step closer to proving abiogenesis? Scientists create "Near-Living Crystal"

[Ryantology]

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/0...g-crystal/

“Here we show that with a simple, synthetic active system, we can reproduce some features of living systems,” Palacci said. “I do not think this makes our systems alive, but it stresses the fact that the limit between the two is somewhat arbitrary.”

Chaikin notes that life is difficult to define, but can be said to possess metabolism, mobility, and the ability to self-replicate. His crystals have the first two, but not the last.

One more gap quickly being closed...