DNA sequencing and predictions of the cosmic theory of life

TL;DR

This paper discusses the cosmic origin of life via cometary panspermia, presenting predictions that have been verified by recent genetic and evolutionary findings, suggesting life was seeded on Earth by comets.

Contribution

It provides explicit, verifiable predictions of cometary panspermia theory and compares them with recent genetic evidence, supporting the cosmic origin of life.

Findings

Predictions of cometary panspermia verified by genetic data

Horizontal gene transfer supports cosmic gene acquisition

Retroviruses play a role in evolution as predicted

Abstract

The theory of cometary panspermia, developed by the late Sir Fred Hoyle and the present author argues that life originated cosmically as a unique event in one of a great multitude of comets or planetary bodies in the Universe. Life on Earth did not originate here but was introduced by impacting comets, and its further evolution was driven by the subsequent acquisition of cosmically derived genes. Explicit predictions of this theory published in 1979-1981, stating how the acquisition of new genes drives evolution, are compared with recent developments in relation to horizontal gene transfer, and the role of retroviruses in evolution. Precisely-stated predictions of the theory of cometary panspermia are shown to have been verified.