Viruses change all forms of life. All life forms can be divided into two states, one that stores and the other that acts on information, to duplicate an organism (Levine 1992). They populate the world between the living and the non-living, the ability to duplicate themselves and those who cannot. Viruses are inherent to the organization and their properties constitute many secrets of vital processes and life (Levine 1992). Viruses can be present in living organisms almost since the origin of life (Levy, Owens 1988). Evidence has shown that viruses can be found in many species, meaning that every species on this planet carries viruses (Levy, Owens 1988). Most researchers have indicated that viruses have played an important role in understanding how cells work over the years. Scientists have identified the main factors contributing to viruses, such as DNA repair, mRNA translation, transcription and elucidating the chemical nature of genes. (Levy, Owens 1988). Viruses are considered a phenotypic modification by host cells. As viruses age, they integrate their host's genes into their genome and vice versa (Morse 1993). Are viruses an impossible feature of our life on earth or just a complex chemistry in life? Scientists have not yet determined whether viruses are non-living systems or living systems. We are debating in this discussion whether viruses can be living entities or not. What is a virus? Its roots come from the Latin word, known as “Poison”. Viruses were first discovered in the 19th century. Scientists have discovered that certain diseases like foot-and-mouth disease and rabies are caused by particles that look like bacteria, but have the ability to pass through fine filters that bacteria cannot. Viruses were...... middle of paper ...... to produce products specified by viruses. Works cited1. Carter, John. Saunders, Veneto. (2008). “Principles and applications of virology”. Pages 6-7.2. Jalasvuori, Matti, Bamford, KH Jaana. Virus and life: can there be one without the other? "Journal of Cosmology". [August 2010]. Available (online) Available from: [Evaluated on 11/20/2010].3. Playfair, John. (1995). "Infection and immunity". Page 7, 12.4. Levine, J. Arnold. (1992). “Virus.” Page 1, 8.5. Levy, A. January (1998). “Virology”. Pg1,2,126. Mims, Cedric. (2004). “Medical microbiology”. Pages 39-30 Third edition.7. Morse, S. Stephen. (1993). “Emerging viruses”. Pages 3-6.8. Villarreal, P. Luis. Are viruses alive [December 2004]. (Online) Available from: Scientific American [Evaluated 18/11/2010].