Cyanide found on meteorites can broaden understanding of life itself

Cyanide is a poison that can kill humans and animals alike. However, scientists are looking at the chemicals present in some asteroids as a way to better understand how life first emerged on our planet. According to a study by scientists at Boise State University and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the presence of cyanide, iron and carbon monoxide (another chemical lethal to humans) may have helped kickstart life on Earth. These chemicals are involved in synthesizing amino acids and nucleobases, the building blocks of proteins and nucleic acids upon which life is dependent.

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