A 2010 claim that a microbe could live on arsenic instead of phosphorus has been retracted by Science magazine due to lack of convincing evidence.
A press release from Science in 2010 announced the discovery of a bacterium found at California’s Mono Lake, which allegedly swapped out phosphorus for arsenic. The find was significant, as it challenged established biochemistry and sparked debate about the possibility of life existing elsewhere in the cosmos. However, many experts were skeptical, and concerns over the study’s methodology and publication process raised questions about how science is conducted and communicated to the public.
The controversy surrounding the “arsenic life” study led to a prolonged discussion within the scientific community, with some researchers hailing it as a breakthrough while others questioned its validity. Fifteen years later, Science magazine has retracted the study, citing the lack of convincing evidence to support its claims. The retraction serves as a reminder of the importance of rigorous scientific inquiry and the need for transparency in research publication.
Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/arsenic-life-microbe-study-retracted-after-15-years-of-controversy