metallic lifeforms, artificial worlds

Alastair Reynolds · 17 May 1999, 12:51 · from whorl-v0010.mbox · original

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From: areynold at estsa2.estec.esa.nl (Alastair Reynolds)
Subject: Re: (whorl) metallic lifeforms, artificial worlds
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 14:51:51 +0200 (MET DST)
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Mantis:

> Yes, but actually, as I understand it, the experiments you describe
> produced =3Dboth=3D Left-handed and Right-handed amino acids, in equal am=
ounts.
> The odd thing is, all life on Earth is built from Left-handed amino acids.

someone had a theory recently (it was covered in New Scientist) that=20
neutron stars might be responsible for the left-handedness of life here,
and - by extension - throughout the Galaxy. Yes, I know it sounds
unlikely...and unfortunately, I'm buggered if I can remember the details!

Al

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