If a virus devolved from a living cell would that mean it's alive?

Question

If a virus devolved from a living cell would that mean it's alive?

Answer 1

No a virus is purely parasitic and is not alive.  It is not even a cell.  It has no organelles, no nucleus, just pure nucleic acid wrapped up in protein.  True, it does a few funky little processes, but it doesn't do a thing until it gets into a living cell.  

Answer 2

The debate still continues

Yes - They reproduce which is a definite form of organization. True, they can not do it on their own, yet all living systems are open systems and depend upon their environment for survival. It is just that the environment a virus requires is another living cell. This is actually true for many symbiotic and parasitic cells.

No - A virus is not a living machine . It is only part of a machine, namely the blueprints. The virus only provides the plans, the cell has done the real living work. Outside of its host the virus shows no living qualities.

Answer 3

Nope.  No metabolism = not alive.