A few people have asked me my opinion about the new paper in Science, A Bacterium That Can Grow by Using Arsenic Instead of Phosphorus. I wasn't going to say anything without having read the paper. Now I have. Here's the final paragraph:
We report the discovery of an unusual microbe, strain GFAJ-1, that exceptionally can vary the elemental composition of its basic biomolecules by substituting As for P. How arsenic insinuates itself into the structure of biomolecules is unclear, and the mechanisms by which such molecules operate are unknown.
Mr. Ed Yong and Mr. Carl Zimmer have reviewed all the salient points, so I have nothing to add there. I have to say that I agree with those who are skeptical of claims that this is an 'arsenic-based life form'. My skepticism has been increasing all day, thanks to social networks which I'm a member of. Scientists on twitter ...
