what does it mean scientists say that living organisms share a universal genetic code?

Question

abbie · Answer

heres what i got 
It means that they all share DNA and the 4 bases Adenine Thymine Cytosine Guanine and use the same system of cell production - a bit like as if all computers used WINDOWS (they don't) - if they did then the operating system would be a "universal code" or if we all spoke English - then it would be universal. 
In theory organisms could use another chemical other than Carbon (that we are based upon) - like Silicon - the chemical needs to have certain valencies to allow complex chemistry. 
In the film 5th Element - the superbeing had more strands on their DNA - but essentially was still based on the same system. 

If an animal existed that did not use DNA in order to have complex life - then it would not be part of that universal code - everything we know about so far IS. 

It would be a shock if aliens were found that did not use DNA - as we would have to re-write our notions of life - and probably would prove all religion as being wrong.