AbstractThe theory of the evolution of the species, which is today widely accepted, requires a starting point. It is postulated that the biological starting point could have emerged only if chemical evolution had preceded it. Experiments are described which show the formation of organic substances from inorganic gases under conditions which prevailed on earth in the prebiotic era; also demonstrated is the polymerization of such organic substances into biological macromolecules. Hypotheses are discussed whereby these macromolecules could be transformed into dynamic structures which might finally lead to self‐reproduction.