Panel Discussion: Identity of "Organized Elements" 607 



that give the appearance of microfossils. Some of the Precambrian micro- 

 fossils shown earUer in the sessions might also be such particles. Bernal stated 

 that if one could prove that the Precambrian forms were indeed fossils, it 

 would perhaps aid in the identification of the "organized elements." Finally, 

 if the "organized elements" are neither contaminations nor "jokes of nature," 

 one might then wonder whether anyone had "faked" them. Again the burden 

 of proof would lie with those who say that the "organized elements" are truly 

 indigenous fossils in the meteorites. If they are indigenous microfossils, what 

 would this mean? One must consider where these objects might have origi- 

 nated, whether life was brought to earth on meteorites, and where hfe might 

 first have arisen, on earth or on another body. 



Among other considerations mentioned by Bernal was that the carbonaceous 

 meteorites might contain between six and eight per cent of organic matter, most 

 of which is definitely not terrestrial contamination. According to Meinschein 

 and Nagy, the meteorite hydrocarbons are products of life; but can we really 

 say this, or might they be abiotic matter from which life originated? Some 

 scientists even question whether petroleum hydrocarbons are of biological 

 origin. It was recalled that in an earlier paper in this symposium the syntheses 

 of biochemicals from abiotic sources was described; however, no mention was 

 made of lipids. Meinschein's and Nagy's evidence depends on Hpids, but 

 one does not known whether lipids can be produced abiotically. 



Next, according to Bernal, there is the question of the mineral composition 

 of the meteorites. Water must have been present when these minerals were 

 synthesized. Were the serpentine minerals the decomposition products of 

 other silicates? The discussant pointed out that one fact is known: some of the 

 serpentine particles were euhedral. Mason postulated that the primitive 

 meteorite aggregated from dust particles, but the carbonaceous meteorites do 

 not fit into this picture. Sztrokay found veins filled with bituminous material 

 in the Kaba carbonaceous meteorite, which would suggest an elaborate chemical 

 history. All of this was very puzzling according to Bernal. One might ask 

 why it is necessary to bother with all this when in ten years time someone will 

 land on an asteroid and settle the question of extraterrestrial life; however one 

 must remember that the solution to this problem depends on many people, 

 specialists in their various fields, who must get together and coordinate their 

 efforts since no one man can settle this problem alone. 



H. C. Urey: The moderator stated that the subject of extraterrestrial life 

 was of such great importance that it might affect scientific thinking about the 

 moon and, in fact, about the entire solar system. He did not, however, agree 

 with Bernal regarding the origin of meteorites. Moreover, to understand 

 better the "organized elements," one must also question what primitive life 

 forms would be like. Would they survive as long as present life forms do? 

 What would be the biochemical composition of primitive life forms? Would it 

 be the same as it is today? Would the porportions of amino acids be the same 

 as they are today? These, he felt, were all questions which would yet have to 

 be answered. 



B. ]. Cholnoky (National Institute jar Water Research, Pretoria, Republic of 

 South Africa) : Cholnoky stated that the only important consideration is whether 

 there are or are not fife forms in carbonaceous meteorites. It matters not which 



