Oparin-Haldane theory

The standard theory for the origin of life on the earth is based on the soup theory (Oparin-Haldane theory), summarized as follows ... 

The first scientific theories on the origin of life were proposed by Alexander Oparin in 1924 and by J.B.S. Haldane in 1929. Oparin discovered that a solution of proteins can spontaneously produce microscopic aggregates - which he called coacervates - that are capable of a weak metabolism, and proposed that the first cells came into being by the evolution of primitive metabolic coacervates. Haldane, on the other hand, was highly impressed by the replication properties of viruses, and attributed the origin of life to the evolution of viruslike molecular replicators. 

Today, Oparin s coacervates are not as favoured as Fox s microspheres or Wachtershausers s vesicles, and RNA replicators are preferred to Haldane s viroids, but these differences have not changed the substance of the original opposition. Between the two fundamental functions of life - metabolism and replication - Oparin gave an evolutionary priority to metabolism, while Haldane gave it to replication, and the choice between these two alternatives is still the key point that divides the origin-of-life theories in two contrasting camps. 

Up until the origin of RNA molecules, Dyson describes the logical consequences of the initial hypotheses, and his scheme is therefore a coherent theory of chemical evolution. But the mathematical model does not say anything about the subsequent integration of RNAs and hosts, and on this point Dyson resorts to a supplementary conjecture. He proposes that primitive RNAs invaded their metabolic hosts, and used them for their own replication, like viruses do, which is exactly Haldane s hypothesis. Dyson concludes therefore that, after Oparin s metabolism stage, came Haldane s replication stage, and his final scheme becomes metabolism first, replication second . That RNAs... 

According to A. Oparin, life eventually arose from that substrate. l.B.C. Haldane developed similar theory at nearly the same time. 

We all learned too well how Louis Pasteur, after a series of remarkable experiments, smashed the spontaneous generation theory. He put forth, however, an authoritative ne pas possible dictum that brought no good for a long time. In fact, it took many decades to overcome his paralyzing testimonial, until Haldane, Oparin and, years later, Stanley Miller (1953) started to probe a fascinating subject anew. 

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