It's not impossible that there is another Earth-like planet with life somewhere in the universe. We have basically very little idea how likely life is, other than it is not so prolific that we have yet found any other than on Earth. Some say that the probability that the right factors would come together are so small that it is very unlikely that life exists elsewhere in the universe. But they make assumptions: e.g. they say it is too unlikely that organic chemicals could form from a planet's atmosphere, yet experiments have shown that radiation or electical discharge (simulating lightning) can do this in the laboratory. e.g. They say it is too unlikely that molecules could come together to form cell like structures, but it has been shown that some lipid molecules will do this spontaneously. There is even evidence that self-replicating structures are not so unlikely: e.g. the prions that cause Mad Cow disease come in two forms, one of which causes the disease. The disease causing variety can spontaneously convert good prions to have the same structure, replicating the pattern. These are very simple proteins. So we cannot point to any one factor that can make another too Earth unlikely to happen.

Earth like planets may be more common than expected - the real catch is having a planetary system similiar to ours - (inwards of gas giants, a planet within the "sweet spot" orbit, roughly earth's size (stronger or weaker gravity would cause different atmospheric configurations) - as far as life, my belief is that it's even odds that life develops - the above astronomically large odds is a guess - considering billions of years of time, and possible panspermia, the chances for life are good. Even in our modern age, nobody greater than 70 light years away would even know we were here, even if they were intensely focused on our planet. (The galaxy is tens of thousands of light years across.)

Professor Barrie Jones of the Open University told the BBC News website on 5th April 2005 that, based on what we currently know of planetary formation, about a half the systems out there could have Earths in their habitable zones today and have been there long enough for life to develop. This research has been published in Astrophysical Journal. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4411865.stm

It would make perfect sense to have hundreds of thousands of 'other earths' out there we know so little of what is a constantly expanding universe that it would be foolish to close our minds to simply what we do know. It would perhaps answer some of our lifes questions , ever feel you've been somewhere before.? Perhaps you have in another lifetime in another time on another earth....consider each earth as a classroom and each life a lesson..your soul or spirit is a transferable energy that travels on..I would be happier knowing that those who die young in this life may live long in another.....it would seem to be justice , would it not.?