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A 2010 NASA-funded study claimed to discover an arsenic-based bacterium, GFAJ-1, in a California lake, potentially revolutionizing biology and the search for extraterrestrial life. The announcement generated significant excitement but faced immediate criticism from the scientific community. Scientists pointed out flaws in the study's methodology, including insufficient experiments and potential contamination leading to inaccurate conclusions about arsenic's role in the bacterium's DNA. Subsequent analysis revealed the bacterium relied on phosphorus, not arsenic, for its DNA, discrediting the initial claim.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.