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Chapter 20 Intelligence As a Universal Phenomenon (18) Intelligence is a universal phenomenon and is present wherever matter and energy exist. As of yet no proof exists that there is organic-related intelligence anywhere else within the universe beyond earth, yet it would seem highly probable that there must be. Even without proof, most scientists appear to accept this concept without much hesitation. Proof awaits the unequivocal discovery of extraterrestrial life. Evidence that extraterrestrial life may exist is beginning to surface. The book Evolution From Space, by Fred Hoyle and Chandra Wickramasinghe, deals with a theory that life on earth originated from an extraterrestrial source. They argue rather effectively that it is theoretically possible for genetic material to pass through space and seed any planet that is capable of supporting life. They see genes as cosmic and as capable of passing through space as DNA or RNA, as fully-fledged cells, or as viruses or viroids. Although the genes that originated life on earth might have been extraterrestrial in origin, they were assembled in whatever functioning biosystems the environment of the earth would permit.1...They suggest that genes are arriving continuously but not necessarily at regular intervals. It has been determined mathematically that genetic material is exactly the right size to ride on the light waves of stars and to do so with the greatest possible efficiency.2 It has also been established that microorganisms can withstand extremely hostile environments and survive. At the Jenner Institute in London they showed that spores of bacteria could be kept for 24 hours at a temperature of -252 degrees centigrade in liquid hydrogen without losing their germinating power. Additional experimentation also demonstrated that microorganisms may be kept in liquid air at -200 degrees centigrade for six months and still keep their germinating power.3...Other microorganisms have been exposed to an ultra-high vacuum nearly the same as that of space for five days with no lethal effect observed.4...H. Dombrowski succeeded in isolating and cultivating live bacteria from salt deposits that were laid down approximately 250 million years ago.5 There is also evidence that certain strains of bacteria could be of extraterrestrial origin. Photosynthetic bacteria use free hydrogen or hydrogen sulfide in place of the water which other types of bacteria require. Since free hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide are both rare on earth, it would seem unusual to find bacteria with this requirement unless both were in much greater abundance during early life history, or unless these particular strains developed elsewhere.6 Other arguments are also presented in favor of an extraterrestrial origin for life. However, since they are beyond the scope of the Integrated Theory of Intelligence, the reader is referred to the book by Hoyle and Wickramasinghe for additional information. In his more recent book, The Intelligent Universe, Fred Hoyle also cites evidence that meteorites could have brought microorganisms to earth from outer space. Both virus-like and bacteria-like fossils were found inside a meteorite discovered in 1969 near Murchison, Virginia.7
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