Spontaneous Generation

Spontaneous Generation (generatio equivoca or abiogenesis), the view held by Aristotle and champloned of late years by Bastian, that some of the lowest organic beings originate from non-living matter. This view was attacked by Redi and by Leenwenhoek (1632-1723), though defended by Lamarck (1744-1829). Whatever speculation may have to say as to the first origin of life in the remote past, all experimental evidence as to "sterilised" organic infusions, etc., is against any such process taking place at present.