How Life Began: Evolution's Three Geneses

A French marine biologist best known for his work with Mediterranean ecosystems gone awry (documented in his 1999 Killer Algae), Meinesz brings his vast knowledge of molecular biology to bear on the question, ""What is Life?"" He comes up with some startling, if speculative, answers. Despite many advances in genetics and other sciences, Meinesz asserts there is no empirical evidence of a life-generating ""molecular soup"" (and he that doubts any will be forthcoming), but evidence does exist to support the theory that the ""seeds of life"" came to earth on a meteor. Using the latest scientific data, Meinesz covers the sweep of evolution, paying particular attention to bacteria and unicellular organisms. He locates the engine for evolution in a system of ""endosymbiosis,"" illustrated in a chapter on the symbiotic relationship between tropical ""vampire"" sea slugs and the ""killer"" algae. Meinesz doesn't deny the role disaster and luck play in the survival of life forms over billions of years, and he doesn't believe that the ""increasing complexity"" of evolution is a given-rather, the ""grandeur of life"" is a ceaseless evolution that stretches in more directions than one. Writing with charm and an eye toward the general audience, Meinesz's lively guide to evolution is compelling, up-to-the-minute popular science at its best. Illus., 15 color plates.