Panspermia/a critique of Evidence against Biological Grains in the Interstellar Medium

(Review Paper) Cited in

Points Made
1. There is a possibility that false results were found when scanning for biological material in interstellar medium

2. The ratios of certain elements in the interstellar medium are inadequate to produce some organic compounds

3. We do not know enough about the interstellar medium yet to make accurate statements about the composition and nature of the interstellar medium.

Methods
1. To find hydrocarbons in the medium, substances that absorb waves of length 3.0-3.5 micrometers were scanned. This is the range that most organic compounds absorb.

2. A sample of interstellar dust was taken and analyzed. Abundances of various elements were measured from that sample.

Results
1. The wavelength range of 3.0-3.5 micrometers is not exclusively absorbed by biological substances. For example, water and ammonia also absorb in that range.

2. The ratios of phosphorus and carbon do not support the kinds of life that is said to be in the interstellar medium. For the amount of E. Coli that is said to be in space, 100 times more phosphorus would need to be present.

3. Because we have not explored the interstellar medium as intensively and as in-depth as we have explored many other areas of natural science, we cannot be certain about exactly which elements/compounds can be found out there, as well as the nature of the medium (e.g. radiation levels, temperatures).