Are viruses alive?

The question of whether viruses are alive is complex and experts have differing opinions. Some consider them to be alive because they perform biological functions and can possess DNA or RNA. However, others argue that viruses are not alive because they require host cells to function and do not have self-sustaining biological functions when isolated.

1. According to Sal Di Stefano and guest Zack Abbott on the Mind Pump Podcast, viruses are considered alive by some scientists due to their ability to execute biological functions and contain genetic material. The fact that they require a host cell for replication doesn’t disqualify them as living organisms any more than it would disqualify parasites 1.

2. On the other hand, Carl Zimmer, a science writer, explained on the Modern Wisdom that there's a significant debate among experts with no consensus. Some virologists staunchly view viruses as non-living, while others are convinced they are alive, leaving people like Zimmer in a challenging position to provide a clear answer 2.

3. Furthermore, Vincent Racaniello discusses on the Lex Fridman Podcast that while a virus-infected cell can be considered alive, the individual virus particles (virions) are not alive until they infect a host cell. This distinction highlights a dependency characteristic that some use to classify viruses as non-living 3.

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     1

     Are Viruses Alive?

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     2

     The Nature of Viruses

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     3

     Virus Life Debate

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The debate continues within the scientific community about the classification of viruses as living or non-living, largely depending on the criteria used to define life.