ANSWERS: 1
  • The Law of Biogenesis, which is attributed to the French scientist Louis Pasteur, states that complex life forms cannot appear fully formed from nonliving matter, but must develop from preexisting living forms.

    Spontaneous Generation

    For much of history, people believed that living creatures could be spontaneously generated, that is, come into existence fully formed from nonliving matter. For example, the theory of maggots arising on their own in rotting meat. Questioning this, Pasteur proved that only living things could produce other living things.

    Life from Life

    One of the key points of biogenesis is that complex living forms can only arise from other living things. For example, flies are needed to lay the eggs in the rotting meat that grow into maggots.

    Like from Like

    The Law of Biogenesis also states that living things are produced by parents similar to themselves. They may be slightly different, but to get a horse you must have two horse parents.

    Only Complex Living Forms

    The Law of Biogenesis only applies to complex living forms, such as animals, plants, and even bacteria. It does not apply to the simplest living forms, such as the first cells.

    Creationist Interpretation

    Creationists argue that the Law of Biogenesis disproves evolution, as the first living things cannot have come from nonliving matter. However, Biogenesis only applies to complex organisms, so this objection is unfounded.

    Source:

    National Health Museum: The Slow Death of Spontaneous Generation (1668-1859)

    TalkOrigins: Claim CB000

    All About Science: Who was Louis Pasteur?

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