The enduring value of Ganti's chemoton model and life criteria: Heuristic pursuit of exact theoretical biology

Ganti's chemoton model of the minimal chemical organization of living systems and life criteria for the living state and a living world are characterized. It is argued that these are better interpreted as part of a heuristic pursuit of an exact theoretical biology than as a definition of life. Several problems with efforts to define life are discussed. Clarifying the proper use of Ganti's ideas to serve constructive engineering idealizations helps to show their enduring value. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.