Viruses. Living, non-living, or alien?

[King Toasty]

All right. Viruses. Weird, weird things. For now, they are classified as non-living because they have none of the properties of Terran living things. But they hold DNA, they reproduce using other cells, and they evolve. So, what the heck are they?

One theory, gaining steam, is based off the Panspermia theory, that the first microbial life on earth developed in space or on another planet. A comet 4.3 billion years ago held extremely primitive life-forms, and they evolved into today's creatures. It may have happened twice, once for microbial organics, and another for viruses. So the theory goes, anyways.

They may also be ex-life forms. They used to evolve and change, but perhaps they evolved to the point where they were no longer "alive", that this is just the final step in virus evolution.

Another theory states that we are just very narrow-minded about the definition of life. I like this explanation the best.

Why is there no pole here? I want to see your written opinions on this matter. BTW, no hating on ridiculous ideas. They're what keeps science alive.

 

[Dango]

Scientifically speaking they're living. So I'll just go with that.

 

[King Toasty]

Scientifically speaking they're living. So I'll just go with that.

They're actually viewed as non-living for now. It changes every decade or so.

 

[Yoshisummons]

The sole reason they're not classified as living is that they do not reproduce on their own, they trick our cells and other cells to do the dirty work. I don't get where the discussion is.

 

[Painful illusion]

Scientifically speaking they're living. So I'll just go with that.

They're actually viewed as non-living for now. It changes every decade or so.

Then if it changes every decade or so is any of our answers valid?

 

[Lord Beautiful]

The sole reason they're not classified as living is that they do not reproduce on their own, they trick our cells and other cells to do the dirty work. I don't get where the discussion is.

Pretty much this. Where's the issue?

 

[Ekonk]

They're living, right? They reproduce and stuff like that?

 

[Spencer Petersen]

They are just strains of self replicating chains of molecules. But if you really wanna break it down that's what all life is. In a scientific sense, no, because they cannot reproduce on their own. But in a traditional sense I really don't see the difference.

 

[King Toasty]

Scientifically speaking they're living. So I'll just go with that.

They're actually viewed as non-living for now. It changes every decade or so.

Then if it changes every decade or so is any of our answers valid?

I just want to hear more opinions on this.

 

[Keava]

They're living, right? They reproduce and stuff like that?

They don't meet all requirements to be classified as living. They lack metabolism and require host cell to create new products. For sake of scientific definitions they are classified as either 'replicators' or 'organisms at the edge of life'.

 

[skitzo van]

Oh my god, not thirty minutes ago we had this same discussion in science, and I'll just say what I said earlier. They don't respond or grow and develope, and they certainly don't use energy, so they're not alive.

 

[gewata]

Viruses are very strange.. organisms - yeah, let's go with organisms. They can only reproduce inside other living cells by using the organelles that are already present in that cell. Outside of cells then they are just protein and DNA/RNA.
Maybe the best way to describe them is not as either living or non-living, but as some strange organism that can be both, depending on its environment.

 

[King Toasty]

Viruses are very strange.. organisms - yeah, let's go with organisms. They can only reproduce inside other living cells by using the organelles that are already present in that cell. Outside of cells then they are just protein and DNA/RNA.
Maybe the best way to describe them is not as either living or non-living, but as some strange organism that can be both, depending on its environment.

It's also shocking how little we actually know about these little jerks. They synchronize, plan attacks and the bacteriophage just look badass.

 

[smeghead25]

Well as long as it doesn't evolve into the Chimera virus, I'm happy.

 

[King Toasty]

Well as long as it doesn't evolve into the Chimera virus, I'm happy.

About that. Uhm, Japan got bored of regular viruses.

 

[kikon9]

I've always put life under a more philosophical sense. Just because it makes the universe more interesting.

 

[IrradiatedFish]

Another theory states that we are just very narrow-minded about the definition of life. I like this explanation the best.

I also prefer that theory. Always makes me recall the silicon based life form from Star Trek TOS eheh.

 

[King Toasty]

Another theory states that we are just very narrow-minded about the definition of life. I like this explanation the best.

I also prefer that theory. Always makes me recall the silicon based life form from Star Trek TOS eheh.

Yeah, I've looked into non-carbon based life. Silicon is a good one.

 

[Hashime]

Non living. I like to think of them as robots, because they pretty much are. They are programmed to find a certain type of cell structure and perform a task: reproduction.
One area of the field I am studying involves re-programming viruses to deliver medication.

 

[DefunctTheory]

Non living. I like to think of them as robots, because they pretty much are. They are programmed to find a certain type of cell structure and perform a task: reproduction.
One area of the field I am studying involves re-programming viruses to deliver medication.

Ninja'd. Viruses are natures robots! Just what I was thinking.

Anyway... no. They can do nothing without the aid of a biological counterpart, and as such, are not alive.

EDIT: Ah, viral therapy. End of World Scenario 14.