Could a virus have been the first life form on earth?

1 Answer
Nov 14, 2016

No

Explanation:

The simplest reason why not is that by definition a virus is an organism that only reproduces inside other organisms. So it would have no way of reproducing.

A more complex reason is that viruses are relatively sophisticated form of life with a protein coat, thought to have evolved from plasmids or bacteria.

In addition, note that not all definitions consider viruses to be a form of life at all.