Homochirality of biomolecules: Counter-arguments against critical notes

Abstract

Three recently published critical papers by Bonner and coworkers on the extraterrestrial origin of the homochirality of biomolecules and the amplification of tiny enantiomeric excess are discussed. The presented arguments show the difficulties involved in circularly polarized u.v. and visible synchrotron radiation from neutron stars, in their ratio to non circularly polarized light and in racemization of the products. Attention is called upon another mechanism for production of extraterrestrial handedness based on Salam's condensation theory and on the recent experimental demonstration of the enantioselective magnetochiral photochemistry. Arguments, as well as experiments, point out that tiny enantiomeric excesses might be amplified via the Yamagata accumulation principle questioned by Bonner.