[e_i_pi_2]

> (when they really, really love one another) can mix and meld to form a new organism that can replicate itself in turn

I know it's a bit tongue-in-cheek but I kinda wish they'd go with something more realistic that also explains our perspective, something like "when two organisms feel compelled to have sex". Even in humans it's a big stretch to say that deep love is a prerequisite and I think adds some harmful personification to the natural world

[e_i_pi_2]

The mention of silicon as a potential carbon replacement is also explored a bit in the movie "Ecolution" from 2001 - the half-life for replication is way short and (spoiler) they use an analog of cyanide to destroy the silicon-based aliens

[Tagbert]

It’s a reference to some old fashioned language used in older sex education materials.