Major scientific journals such as Nature or Science

Study Reveals Last Universal Common Ancestor, a Relatively Complex Organism, Existed 4.2 Billion Years Ago

Nov 22, 2024, 02:20 PM

Recent research has provided new insights into the last universal common ancestor (LUCA) of all modern life, suggesting that it was a relatively complex organism that existed approximately 4.2 billion years ago. This finding challenges previous assumptions that life could not thrive during such a harsh period in Earth's history. According to evolutionary biologist Phil Donoghue, the early steps of evolution from simple replicators to complex life forms were not as difficult as previously thought, indicating that the emergence of life may have been more straightforward than imagined. This research underscores the significance of LUCA as a pivotal moment in the history of life on Earth.