Re: Jeffrey Goodman's "The Genesis Mystery"

Tim Ikeda (timi@mendel.Berkeley.EDU)
Wed, 29 May 1996 21:26:31 -0800

Just a side issue...

Jim Bell writes...
[...]
> So on the big issue, the most important issue, Goodman is not only
> right on, but in harmony with numerous well known scientists. Chandra
> Wickramasinghe comes immediately to mind. I hope you don't consider
> this Oxford don a "nut" too. Your nut bowl will begin to overflow!
[...]

This is satire, right?

Is this the same Chandra who coauthored _Lifecloud, the origin of life
in the universe_ with Fred Hoyle? I thought that Robert Shapiro
provided an interesting review of this dynamic duo in _Origins: a
skeptic's guide to the creation of life on earth_. I even remember
reading some of Hoyle & Wickramasinghe's articles on virus-based
evolution from space roughly a decade ago. For example, their
_Nature_ letters and articles, "Influenza viruses and comets" (Jun 25/
Jul 1, 1987 - 327(6124):664) and "Prebiotic molecules and interstellar
grain clumps" (Mar 17, 1977 - 266(5599):241-3). "Classic" literature.

Competent in astronomy perhaps, but in biology? Hmmm...

My bowl overfloweth... Please, help yourself to all the Brazil nuts
you want but save me a couple pecans. ;^)

Regards, Tim Ikeda (timi@mendel.berkeley.edu)