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Seven Clues To The Origin of Life
This concise readable book explains, in language understandable to a wide audience, the author's somewhat controversial views about the possible origin of life. His major statement on the subject, 'Genetic Takeover' (published by the Press in 1982) attracted much publicity and acclaim. With the upsurge of interest in evolution there has been considerable debate about primeval events and in this book the evidence is presented in an amusing and logical manner in the style of a detective story.
154 pages, Hardcover
First published September 13, 1985
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517 people want to read
About the author
A.G. Cairns-Smith
7 books8 followersAlexander Graham Cairns-Smith, also known as Graham Cairns-Smith (born 1931) is a chemist and biologist. He works at Glasgow University (England).
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 6, 2014
A general, generic understanding of the origin of life is that organic chemicals came together by chance in just the right way so that replication occurred. Then random variation and natural selection took it from there and favored the better replicators. Cairns-Smith doubts this speculative account of life’s origins. He argues that the essential stuff of life (DNR, RNA, and proteins) are much too complex and must have been preceded by organized entities “that did not need nucleotides [links in the DNA chain], but could have evolved to produce them.”
In his view, non-organic (and very microscopic) crystals in clay are the key. Crystals grow and replicate. This self-assembly process is based on the perpetual motion of atoms and molecules that combine with other atoms and molecules to bond in particular ways: “The perpetual motion of the molecules allows them to try out many possible arrangements and they can thus arrive at some particular arrangement that has the greatest possible cohesion. Such an arrangement, once found, will of course tend to persist.”
“Mistakes” are made during replication and these “defects” or “irregularities” contain “information” – in this case, size and shape – that are then repeated as the crystal structure grows, as long as the defect does not compromise stability of the structure itself. This replication process, built upon “mutations” (errors) is subject to natural selection that favors those that allow for continuous self-assembly and weeding out those that don’t contribute to such.
Somehow, from all of this, Cairns-Smith concludes that “The very first organisms were inorganic-crystalline in nature, not organic-molecular as organisms are now” and that “The origin of life on Earth is a branch of mineralogy….” The switch from life to non-life is described as a transition from “primary organisms” [“unevolved and so not-yet-alive to begin with”] to secondary organisms [“through a gradual replacement of genes made of one material by genes made of an altogether different material – that is to say through a genetic takeover”].
At this point I lost the trail - the transition point between inorganic non-life and organic life, which of course is the central thesis of this book. The author also describes the origins of life as an inner impulse that unfolds organically, but I wonder how the active importation of energy from the outside fits into his argument and why that might not be central to the distinction between non-life and life. These are not criticisms. This book, though hard to follow, provides another perspective on life’s origins, and it is good to know that his argument is out there.
In his view, non-organic (and very microscopic) crystals in clay are the key. Crystals grow and replicate. This self-assembly process is based on the perpetual motion of atoms and molecules that combine with other atoms and molecules to bond in particular ways: “The perpetual motion of the molecules allows them to try out many possible arrangements and they can thus arrive at some particular arrangement that has the greatest possible cohesion. Such an arrangement, once found, will of course tend to persist.”
“Mistakes” are made during replication and these “defects” or “irregularities” contain “information” – in this case, size and shape – that are then repeated as the crystal structure grows, as long as the defect does not compromise stability of the structure itself. This replication process, built upon “mutations” (errors) is subject to natural selection that favors those that allow for continuous self-assembly and weeding out those that don’t contribute to such.
Somehow, from all of this, Cairns-Smith concludes that “The very first organisms were inorganic-crystalline in nature, not organic-molecular as organisms are now” and that “The origin of life on Earth is a branch of mineralogy….” The switch from life to non-life is described as a transition from “primary organisms” [“unevolved and so not-yet-alive to begin with”] to secondary organisms [“through a gradual replacement of genes made of one material by genes made of an altogether different material – that is to say through a genetic takeover”].
At this point I lost the trail - the transition point between inorganic non-life and organic life, which of course is the central thesis of this book. The author also describes the origins of life as an inner impulse that unfolds organically, but I wonder how the active importation of energy from the outside fits into his argument and why that might not be central to the distinction between non-life and life. These are not criticisms. This book, though hard to follow, provides another perspective on life’s origins, and it is good to know that his argument is out there.
May 28, 2015
Modern genetic components are too complex to have appeared by chance on the primordial Earth. DNA and RNA, and even their more elementary building blocks, require the assistance of an agent at least as complex as themselves for their synthesis. This is the famous Catch-22 of the origin of organic replicators. Cairns-Smith begins by clearly stating this problem, and then embarks on an innovative and imaginative journey to find its solution.
It is no shortcoming of this endeavor that a solution is not presented. Cairns-Smith traces the outline of a proposal: 'low-tech', inorganic replicators -- crystal genes in solution -- with the ability to carry information and reproduce, to 'mutate' and evolve, proliferated over long periods of time near the surface of the primordial earth. Clay is identified as a likely source for this crystallization, being stable and ubiquitous in this environment. The regime change from inorganic to organic information carriers arrives in the form of a "genetic takeover", in which organic molecules come to supplant their mineral forebears. Cairns-Smith describes an intricate dance of the inorganic and organic, as the molecular keys to life -- amino acids and nucleic acids -- were built up amongst the crystalline scaffolding in environments primed for their creation. From here Cairns-Smith speculates on how this major transition to organic information carriers might have completed...
This book is clear, concise, and packed with courageous ideas about a time shrouded in mystery. Although current research favors alternative ideas over Cairns-Smith's hypothesis, this is science at its very best.
It is no shortcoming of this endeavor that a solution is not presented. Cairns-Smith traces the outline of a proposal: 'low-tech', inorganic replicators -- crystal genes in solution -- with the ability to carry information and reproduce, to 'mutate' and evolve, proliferated over long periods of time near the surface of the primordial earth. Clay is identified as a likely source for this crystallization, being stable and ubiquitous in this environment. The regime change from inorganic to organic information carriers arrives in the form of a "genetic takeover", in which organic molecules come to supplant their mineral forebears. Cairns-Smith describes an intricate dance of the inorganic and organic, as the molecular keys to life -- amino acids and nucleic acids -- were built up amongst the crystalline scaffolding in environments primed for their creation. From here Cairns-Smith speculates on how this major transition to organic information carriers might have completed...
This book is clear, concise, and packed with courageous ideas about a time shrouded in mystery. Although current research favors alternative ideas over Cairns-Smith's hypothesis, this is science at its very best.
March 30, 2009
Although some of our understanding of the early atomsphere has changed since this book was written, it still tells an interesting story about how scientists do their work in trying to see back in time to Earth's earliest days. Has some compelling information.
March 17, 2023
Using the methods of Sherlock Holmes, the creation of fellow Edinburgh alum Arthur Conan-Doyle, Graham Cairns-Smith addresses the question of how life may have arisen on earth in his controversial book “Seven Clues to the Origin of Life.”
The book popularized a hypothesis he began to develop in the 1960s, positing that self-replication of crystals-consisting of clay- in solution, might provide the nexus between abiotic matter and organic life.
Cairns-Smith, a master of metaphor, systematically outlines the problematic nature of the mystery of life, and then advances a variety of possible solutions to this enigma. Given the environmental conditions and time constraints affecting conditions on our planet, the genetic materials so far identified are much too complex to have appeared by chance. DNA and RNA, and elementary nucleotides all would require some complex mechanism to foster their synthesis.
Cairns-Smith outlines the mechanics of 'low-tech', replicators- crystal genes in a seeded solution, that might possess the ability to convey messages, reproduce, and evolve over long periods of time. Clay-stable and abundant- is hypothesized as the likely source for this crystallization. For Cairns-Smith this explains how biologically inert matter may have helped the evolution of early life forms. The author terms the transition from inert matter to organic molecules as a "genetic takeover." Thus, Cairns-Smith argues that the molecular keys to life - amino acids and nucleic acids, were assembled in the crystalline scaffolding which constituted the primordial earth.
Cairns-Smith has produced a provocative book that is a model of clarity, despite the abstruse nature of the topic investigated. And, even though many contemporary researchers do not concur with the author’s conjectures, the value of this work remains undiminished. As Cairns-Smith and Holmes rightly indicate, "...the very point which appears to complicate a case is, when duly considered and scientifically handled, the one which is most likely to elucidate it."
The book popularized a hypothesis he began to develop in the 1960s, positing that self-replication of crystals-consisting of clay- in solution, might provide the nexus between abiotic matter and organic life.
Cairns-Smith, a master of metaphor, systematically outlines the problematic nature of the mystery of life, and then advances a variety of possible solutions to this enigma. Given the environmental conditions and time constraints affecting conditions on our planet, the genetic materials so far identified are much too complex to have appeared by chance. DNA and RNA, and elementary nucleotides all would require some complex mechanism to foster their synthesis.
Cairns-Smith outlines the mechanics of 'low-tech', replicators- crystal genes in a seeded solution, that might possess the ability to convey messages, reproduce, and evolve over long periods of time. Clay-stable and abundant- is hypothesized as the likely source for this crystallization. For Cairns-Smith this explains how biologically inert matter may have helped the evolution of early life forms. The author terms the transition from inert matter to organic molecules as a "genetic takeover." Thus, Cairns-Smith argues that the molecular keys to life - amino acids and nucleic acids, were assembled in the crystalline scaffolding which constituted the primordial earth.
Cairns-Smith has produced a provocative book that is a model of clarity, despite the abstruse nature of the topic investigated. And, even though many contemporary researchers do not concur with the author’s conjectures, the value of this work remains undiminished. As Cairns-Smith and Holmes rightly indicate, "...the very point which appears to complicate a case is, when duly considered and scientifically handled, the one which is most likely to elucidate it."
April 10, 2024
I give this book 5 stars for different reasons. Not because the theory it is addressing is supposedly correct. It might well be, it is a very convincing theory, and well put through. Still it lacks in details and specifics, but the start is there. It definitely adds to the 5 stars. It makes you think about different solutions to the problem of the origin of life, and if not this solution, then another must come about through thinking.
The second is the way the theory is written down that finishes the 5 star review. Very engagingly, which makes up for the lack in detail. The quotes from the Holmes do add a lot of context and comparisons, which is always useful when dealing with difficult solutions like these.
The second is the way the theory is written down that finishes the 5 star review. Very engagingly, which makes up for the lack in detail. The quotes from the Holmes do add a lot of context and comparisons, which is always useful when dealing with difficult solutions like these.
April 26, 2023
The books tells a good Story but without any basis. The author confuses Information with raw Data; a memory chip or HDD can hold data but it's not information until it does something useful. All the Darwinian Evolution solves everything people should flock to this, the new Dark Energy of Inorganic Clay to Evolve Organic Life (or precursor chemistry) for its benefit (and survival?). It's unclear if the author explains Why clay stopped producing life After it created it... their must be an evolutionary Off-switch. So, can a creative mind always construct an explanation for theory which doesn't work?
January 9, 2023
A bit redundant at the beginning (the author could have reasonably expected his audience to know what a DNA molecule is) but fascinating onwards. Explores the origin of life from a biochemical perspective. Some the ideas are radical. It proposes that life on earth did not start with organic organisms as we know but with something very different. The whole book is filled with references to Sherlock Holmes and treats the origin of life as a detective story(, hence the title). It’s worth a read.
November 12, 2019
This book was a great new take on the origin of life. It offered new ideas by simply looking at what we know in a new way. It was a fast paced read without feeling too simple, which is great if you don’t want to spend the time on a thousand page book but still want the information. It was made easy to understand with comparisons that nearly anyone will get.
January 6, 2024
Una muy bonita e interesante hipótesis acerca del origen de la vida; a esto se le mezclan referencias detectivescas a la hora de narrar. Sencillo y agradable de leer.
Read
March 10, 2019I have the german edition: Biologische Botschaften + the english edition: Seven clues
August 31, 2015
A second reading of this book 20+ years later leaves me with the same conviction: Cairns-Smith must be right -- mineral processes rather than organic are the most likely source of the "naked genes" that are needed to bootstrap evolution. I'm not an expert in the field, and Cairns-Smith's ideas have been around a long time now. So I'll be watching for news of any research that supports his theory or suggests a way that organic molecules could have served as naked genes. In any case this book lays out a clear framework for what would be necessary for the origin of life, which in itself is a pre-condition for explaining it.
To me, this is "popular science" at its best. The ideas are big and the arguments are well thought out and well explained. It expects the reader to understand some basic things about chemistry and biology, but it doesn't pre-suppose any expert knowledge.
Five stars -- again.
To me, this is "popular science" at its best. The ideas are big and the arguments are well thought out and well explained. It expects the reader to understand some basic things about chemistry and biology, but it doesn't pre-suppose any expert knowledge.
Five stars -- again.
December 21, 2015
concise scientific speculation on abiogenesis that asserts clay formation -kaolinite crystalline formation and propagation- as the original “genetic” materials from which our “high tech” organic molecules got their start. Cairns-Smith argues that we came first from smaller, simpler silicates rather than more complex carbon-based molecules. like building a photovoltaic cell from a myriad of pre-cursor tools like stone hatchets, steel hammers, arc welders, etc.
i particularly appreciate this book because Cairns-Smith does not overload us with wordy explanations nor does he take himself out of the equation. that is, he never quite fades into the background, he’s always there talking to us. telling us things. and it works. he even makes jokes here and there, keeping the tone somewhat conversational yet rife with sophisticated ideas and facts. science writing at it’s best.
i particularly appreciate this book because Cairns-Smith does not overload us with wordy explanations nor does he take himself out of the equation. that is, he never quite fades into the background, he’s always there talking to us. telling us things. and it works. he even makes jokes here and there, keeping the tone somewhat conversational yet rife with sophisticated ideas and facts. science writing at it’s best.
August 23, 2024
A refreshing perspective on the Origins of Life.
Scenarios abound to explain life's origins, but so far none are anywhere near satisfactory. Reading 'Seven Clues' invites us to consider a prominent role for a somewhat surprising actor: crystals. The author provides some compelling arguments to see crystals as information-carrying functional replicators: crystals can grow and break, incorporate and replicate defects, catalyze reactions and can show rudimentary forms of competition, allowing for natural selection.
Whether crystals are as central to life and genetics as proposed by the author is debatable. Something else seems less debatable: our current scenarios are overlooking important chemicals and physical mechanisms. 'Seven Clues' should not just be valued on the merit of the clay hypothesis, it should be seen as an important provocation.
Scenarios abound to explain life's origins, but so far none are anywhere near satisfactory. Reading 'Seven Clues' invites us to consider a prominent role for a somewhat surprising actor: crystals. The author provides some compelling arguments to see crystals as information-carrying functional replicators: crystals can grow and break, incorporate and replicate defects, catalyze reactions and can show rudimentary forms of competition, allowing for natural selection.
Whether crystals are as central to life and genetics as proposed by the author is debatable. Something else seems less debatable: our current scenarios are overlooking important chemicals and physical mechanisms. 'Seven Clues' should not just be valued on the merit of the clay hypothesis, it should be seen as an important provocation.
Want to read
March 1, 2016Richard Dawkins recommends this in
The Blind Watchmaker
(1986), though I generally prefer the more orthodox RNA world hypothesis (citation to be added later).
December 5, 2013
Unlike other Cairns-Smith books, this one is meant to be read like a detective story. It is far less technical than some of his other works, and thus more accessible to the layperson. It details the evidences that are known as to how life may have arisen. Recommended for those that would enjoy an educational experience in a story format.
September 8, 2014
Πρόκληση-τροφή για σκέψη σε ένα βιβλίο εκλαϊκευμένης επιστήμης που δίνεται με τη μαεστρία ενός συγγραφέα αστυνομικής νουβέλας. Ένα από τα απαραίτητα αναγνώσματα για οποιονδήποτε ενδιαφέρεται, έστω και σε μικρό βαθμό, για την προέλευση και την εξέλιξη του φαινομένου της ζωής στον πλανήτη μας.
Υ.Γ.
Ήδη ψάχνω για τα αντίστοιχα τεχνικά άρθρα του συγγραφέα.
Υ.Γ.
Ήδη ψάχνω για τα αντίστοιχα τεχνικά άρθρα του συγγραφέα.
May 22, 2022
I read its turkish translation. I am happy to know the auther. Content of the book is chemical evolution and the origin of life. It was a pleasure to read the auther. But we know that his hypothesis is wrong.
November 30, 2012
A good read even though idea of life coming from clays is outdated.
August 29, 2013
It argues that organisms are evolved from minerals, crystals etc...
quite an interesting read, with Holmes' quotes at beginning and end of each chapter.
feels like a detective!
quite an interesting read, with Holmes' quotes at beginning and end of each chapter.
feels like a detective!
October 2, 2011
Interesting Approach ... Worth it.
December 17, 2017
bought this book in 2005 .. read it partially. re read now. it's interesting conjectural science. Evidence of origin of life with genomics now a major field has to be reduced from these 7 clues and yet the clues could still hold in multiple combinations to unfold ahead in future. definitely a must read IMO.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews