Scientists have created artificial life (simple single cell organisms) in the lab already. (religion.blogs.cnn.com)
And this only accounts for single cell organisms, no cell differentiation, no male / female, no multi cell beings. (religion.blogs.cnn.com)
According to Dr. Steve Haddock, bioluminesence correspondent, the smallest size of glowing thing is most probably a bunch of single celled organisms called dinoflagellates. (creaturecast.org)