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Technically, it's not DNA, as it lacks the phosphate groups that are in DNA/RNA nucleotides.


Your point is well-taken. I was reacting to the early hype that suggested these bugs may have originated completely independently of other life on earth. If the organism evolved to use arsenic as a replacement for phosphate in a DNA-like chemical, I'm not sure if the independent origins hypothesis is really warranted. The Nature summary I saw today did not mention anything like that. The nature of hype I guess.




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