The phenomenon of life is discussed within a framework of its origin as defined by the following assumptions. Life, as we know it, is (H-C-N-O) based and relies on the number of bulk (Na-Mg-P-S-Cl-K-Ca) and trace elements (Li-B-F-Si-V-Cr-Mn-Fe-Co-Ni-Cu-Zn-As-Se-Mo-I-W). It originated when the element abundance curve of the living matter and of the universe coincided. By studying the chemical evolution of the solar neighborhood we have obtained the best agreement between the two curves for (4 ± 1)x109 years after the Big Bang.
The dust-forming planetary system and stars already contained an excess of L- type amino acids and D- type sugars when incorporated into proteins and primitive organisms. Therefore, the emerging life had to be chiral. Because of the universe's aging, life originated only once.