Evolution is not Abiogenesis

I think if we make the assumption that life started from a replicating molecule then separating abiogenesis from evolution is nearly impossible.For Portillo,The reason science makes a distinction between evolution and abiogenesis is that we don't know how life started. All we have are hypotheses and some circumstantial evidence but nothing conclusive. We do have overwhelming evidence for evolution so we have no choice but to separate them. To combine them would be presumptuous on the part of scientists. Edited by Jefferinoopolis, : My proof reader took the day offEdited by Jefferinoopolis, : No reason given.

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Evolution doesn't require that assumption. All Evolution assumes is that life exists which seems to be a pretty good assumption.

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I understand that evolution doesn't require that assumption. However, if life did start with a self-replicating molecule. If we can ever provide enough evidence to conclude that (and I like to think we will) then how do we decide when life began? When did the molecule become the organism? The theories will get a bit tangled up at this point.That being said. I agree. In the absence of that knowledge they are two separate questions. It really is that simple.