Nature's Destiny : How the Laws of Biology Reveal Purpose in the Universe

Could life elsewhere in the universe be significantly different from life on Earth? Must it rely on carbon, water, DNA, amino acids, & proteins? Could there be an alternative to DNA, or could DNA be constructed out of different components? From these building blocks Denton asks the question: Is it possible there are life forms radically different from those realized during the course of evolution on Earth? Is a Homo sapiens-like creature the only possible highly intelligent species, given the laws of biology that exist throughout the universe? The answer to his last question is yes. For life to develop beyond the most primitive stage requires an earthlike planet, with earthlike atmosphere & oceans. Shows that our biosphere is central to nature's destiny. Illustrated.Denton, Michael J. is the author of 'Nature's Destiny : How the Laws of Biology Reveal Purpose in the Universe', published 2004 under ISBN 9780756772628 and ISBN 0756772621.