BioConcepts

abiogenesisAbiogenese (ger.)

• The supposed production of certain living organisms directly from inanimate matter, rather than by the reproduction of existing organisms; spontaneous generation. (OED 2011)
  category spontaneous generation see also biogenesis

  1870

  The hypothesis that living matter always arises by the agency of pre-existing living matter, took definite shape; and had, henceforward, a right to be considered and a claim to be refuted, in each particular case, before the production of living matter in any other way could be admitted by careful reasoners. It will be necessary for me to refer to this hypothesis so frequently, that, to save circumlocution, I shall call it the hypothesis of Biogenesis; and I shall term the contrary doctrine—that living matter may be produced by not living matter—the hypothesis of Abiogenesis.   

  Huxley, T.H. (1870). Address. Nature 2, 400-406: 401. 

  1870

  It is of great importance to apprehend Redi's position rightly; for the lines of thought he laid down for us are those upon which naturalists have been working ever since. Clearly, he held Biogenesis as against Abiogenesis

  Huxley, T.H. (1870). Address. Nature 2, 400-406: 401.