The dense cores of interstellar molecular clouds are sufficiently shielded from
dissociating ultraviolet radiation to allow the formation of complex molecu
les. In particular, a number of organic molecules have been identified by
their radio and millimeter wavelength rotational spectra. While relatively
complex species, like methyl ethyl ether (CH3OC2H5), have been discovered,
unequivocal evidence for bona fide biomolecules, such as the simple amino
acid glycine, remains elusive despite extended searches. This talk gives a
brief summary of the current state of this field.