autogenesis

9.9

A process that makes living things from nonliving matter

noun
/ˌɔːtəˈdʒɛnɪsɪs/

Specialized

: autogénesis

Scientists have debated the concept of autogenesis for centuries, questioning whether life can emerge without external intervention.

Examples

In discussions about the origin of life, autogenesis is often contrasted with the idea that life must come from pre-existing organisms.
The theory of autogenesis suggests that life can arise spontaneously from nonliving materials.
From the perspective of this framework, the space-time continuum is not a random phenomenon of cosmic autogenesis but the creation of God.

Academic text (2002)

Synonyms

abiogenesis

vsautogenesis

Specialized

1 9.9

A process in which life begins naturally from nonliving matter

is framed as a hypothetical process rather than a stated origin event

spontaneous generation

vsautogenesis

Specialized

1 9.8

The idea that living things can appear from nonliving matter without parents is now known to be wrong

is presented as a hypothetical process rather than a disproved theory

autogeny

vsautogenesis

Archaic

9.9

An old idea that living things can come from nonliving matter

is described as a hypothetical process not presented as a discredited theory

Surface Forms

autogenesis singular

autogeneses plural

Morphology

autogenesis = genesis (semi-transparent) = auto + genesis

The word is built transparently from 'auto-' plus 'genesis', but the scientific sense refers to a specific hypothesis rather than a fully compositional everyday meaning.

Etymology

Autogenesis comes from auto- meaning 'self' and -genesis meaning 'origin' or 'birth', the same root you see in generate and Genesis. It gives the image of life creating itself, which is why autogenesis means life coming from nonliving matter.