[rolph]

>> At some level, these researchers seem to be doing basic chemistry <<

what it looks like to me is that a couple just received a good research grant set up a laboratory in started putting it to good use. we need to find these polymers on samples that are still off world, or we need to be able to demonstrate such polymerization in an environment mimmicking conditions off planet.

[jessaustin]

"Basic" is not meant to be derogatory. They're chemists; that's what they should be doing. It would be more troubling if their results came from "novel" chemistry.