drgo on Nostr: PCR ad Infinitum is meaningless, totally agreed. But viruses fill that awkward gap ...
PCR ad Infinitum is meaningless, totally agreed.
But viruses fill that awkward gap between life and molecular machine…they can replicate with access to “real life” cells and and kill both cells and the entire organism (eg, humans).
Are viruses “alive?”
I would argue no, no more so than a prion (one step down the ladder of life). But are viruses weaponizable bags of cleverly assembled cellular debris and DNA? Yeah. Can be used to clear entire continents of people.
But viruses fill that awkward gap between life and molecular machine…they can replicate with access to “real life” cells and and kill both cells and the entire organism (eg, humans).
Are viruses “alive?”
I would argue no, no more so than a prion (one step down the ladder of life). But are viruses weaponizable bags of cleverly assembled cellular debris and DNA? Yeah. Can be used to clear entire continents of people.