Jim Rutt defines 'abiogenesis' as the natural process by which life arises from non-living matter, such as simple organic compounds. He emphasizes that this concept is fundamental in understanding the origins of life on Earth, contrasting sharply with biogenesis, which describes life arising from existing life. According to Rutt, abiogenesis is a central focus in fields like biology, chemistry, and planetary science, as it seeks to explain how the first self-replicating molecules evolved into the complex forms of life we observe today. He underscores that while the specific mechanisms remain a topic of significant scientific inquiry and debate, the study of abiogenesis combines empirical research with theoretical models to unravel the mysteries of life's inception in the primordial conditions of early Earth.

See also: agi, emergence, origin of life, proto b, evolutionary computing