Interstellar Molecules and the Origin of Life

Abstract

It is perhaps appropriate to remind the meeting of the International Society for the Study of the Origin of Life that to many scientists its activities could be described as replacing the old myths and legends of the origin of the universe and life by twentieth century myths and legends of the origin of the universe and life. We tend to smile rather more about the old legends than the new legends but perhaps at a meeting like this in another century or two they will be smiling about many of the thoughts that we are discussing in the next few days. But let me start by reminding you of just one of the many old legends-a legend of the origin of the universe or specifically the Milky Way. It is portrayed beautifully in a famous painting by Tintoretto. The legend concerned Zeus who was not a very faithful husband and his son Hercules was not that of his wife but of a mortal. He wished to render his son immortal for which he needed to suckle his son at the breast of a goddess, namely his wife. His wife was not too pleased with all of this and in the event milk was spilt! The milk became the Milky Way.