Chemical Darwinism: A Computational Demonstration That Life's Origins Necessitated Molecular Cooperation, Not an RNA Monopoly

The RNA World hypothesis, while seminal in highlighting RNA's dual capabilities, faces two fundamental empirical deficiencies: no evidence exists for a primordial biology where RNA functioned as the sole genetic repository, nor one where it provided a comprehensive catalytic toolkit. We present the Matter World Hypothesis (MWH)—a computational framework demonstrating that life's origin is better explained by the co-evolution of multiple molecular systems from the outset. Using kinetic Monte Carlo and stochastic models parameterized with 57 experimental rate constants, we simulate prebiotic environments over 10⁶ time-steps. Results show DNA's inherent kinetic stability (4.2× greater than RNA) drives its selection as the genetic material within days, while environmental fluctuations foster cooperative RNA-peptide-lipid complexes. The ribosome emerges not as an RNA World relic but as a fossilized partnership, supporting a cooperative rather than competitive origin. This work provides a continuous, testable pathway from geochemistry to protocells, challenging molecular monopolies in origins research.