"To start, the laws of physics are universal, so it follows that the laws of life are too. this discounts mistys idea of a 'non carbon' based life for."
Theoretically silicon could be used instead of carbon.
Lifeforms have been found on earth using arsenic instead of phosphorus - that was a big shock to the scientists.
Anyhow, life is nothing to do with organised carbon/hydrogen/oxygen/nitrogen/phosphorus(or arsenic) atoms.
