OT: Extrasolar planets discovered directly

[Fyron]

There are silicon-based lifeforms on the Earth right now... They are all monerans, nothing complex, but they are out there.

[Hunpecked]

Interesting. I wasn't aware that any Monerans formed silicaceous structures. Protistans, yes. Any references on the web?

[Fyron]

Dunno. It was in a scientific journal of some sort I read several years ago. A quick google turned up this mention to an upcoming book. No idea if this is a reputable site or not, but there it is:

http://www.gsreport.com/articles/art000035.html

[Hunpecked]

Fyron,

Thanks for the link. I thought your post was about silica structures secreted by certain prokaryote cells, but I see that the link actually refers to Dr. Tom Gold's (so far unconfirmed) speculations on the existence of true silicon-based organisms on Earth. Dr. Gold's book was indeed published in 1999; I found a review here:

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl...80/ai_56022636

Unfortunately, none of the reviews I read mentions any discussion of silicon-based life. The focus of the book is Dr. Gold's theory of a deep underground biosphere supported by an abundance of hydrocarbons (oil and gas) left over from the formation of the Earth (i.e. of non-biological origin). Of relevance to our forum discussion is his suggestion to look for extraterrestrial life BELOW the surface of such bodies as the moon, Mars, and Saturn's moon Titan.

[Baron Munchausen]

Whoa... Using silicon in part of their metabolism does not make them 'silicon based' life. Don't monerans have ordinary DNA like every other form of life on earth? Something analagous to DNA but using silicon that forms the core of their entire suite of biochemical processes would be 'silicon based' life. I don't think there is any such thing known.