Yes, which 'rock' (point of origin) did the first human-scale single-celled organism on earth launch from? In this line of thought, the fact that we got off of that rock, grew into the ecosystem that we are today, and are now well on our way to doing it again is hopeful in itself.

Also, when thinking about this, i don't think we should discount the possibility that we have already discovered and merged with other forms of life, especially during explosive growth periods over previously uncharted territory. Maybe some forms of life we know of today were actually independent in origin.

But i definitely like this kind of intelligent design by self angle more than any other.

I agree. Like with investments in startups there could be a "spray and pray" strategy. Maybe "they" are just happy to spray very basic life forms like DNA around the universe and watch evolution happen, like how we in our labs like to watch experiments develop.

It's amazing how little we know--it might just be that an organic, living, genetically engineered being can sustain the pressure and vacuum of space (though how about propulsion?) and hostile planets, and consume raw resources out of soil and atmosphere to reproduce. That's a scary thought.