"What is the mathematical essence that distinguishes living from non-living, so that we can engineer a transcendence across the current boundaries?"

"What is the mathematical essence that distinguishes living from non-living, so that we can engineer a transcendence across the current boundaries?"
Links:
[1] http://edge.org/annual-question/what-questions-are-you-asking-yourself
[2] http://edge.org/inthenews/what-questions-are-you-asking-yourself
[3] http://edge.org/contributors/what-questions-are-you-asking-yourself
[4] http://edge.org/responses/what-questions-are-you-asking-yourself
[5] http://edge.org/print/response-detail/10585
[6] http://edge.org/memberbio/rodney_a_brooks