Are viruses alive?

[Walter Hoeksma]

Doesn't the argument over whether or not viruses are alive
really depend upon on how one chooses to define life. Since I know
of no standard universally accepted definition of life, the
argument becomes academic. If one views life as being cell based
clearly viruses are not alive. If one views life as being any nucleic
acid system controlling its own replication, viruses can be viewed as
living. Would certain plasmids also be alive by this later criterion?
So if you wish to view viruses or nucleic acid systems as alive broaden
your definition of life to include them. If not restrict your view of
life to celular systems to exclude viruses. If anyone can provide a
universally accepted view of "life" I'll be able to answer the question
for myself.

 Walt Hoeksema
 YD03 at MUSIC.FERRIS.EDU