TheNorthComesWithMe t1_jbqhi7s wrote on March 10, 2023 at 10:45 PM

Reply to comment by CreaturesLieHere in I just learned that the known shortest DNA in an “organism” is about 1700 base pairs in a certain virus. Is there a minimum amount of “code” required for an organism (or virus) to function in any capacity? by mcbergstedt

There doesn't have to be any fundamental measurable difference between something that is or is not life. Reality doesn't really care about our need to define things.

Elladan71 t1_jbrmf6j wrote on March 11, 2023 at 4:12 AM

This is undeniable. But when we're talking about definitions, aren't we talking about human constructs, attempts to approximate truth? Isn't it the same impulse that birthed the scientific method? Drawing lines between things is *useful!

Plus, anything that provides conversation like this thread is worth talking about, if you ask me.

CreaturesLieHere t1_jbqo3rx wrote on March 10, 2023 at 11:32 PM

There are several measurable differences between cells and viruses.

Defining what viruses are, and thus whether or not they're considered "life", is quite scientifically important. We need to define things based on what their uses and limitations are. Viruses are already known to have unique characteristics; if we further define those characteristics and are able to distinguish them from organisms, we can potentially discover new things about life, or new things about almost-life as a whole that fits certain parameters. We dont know what we don't know. Everyone freaking out over labels is missing the point, as usual.