The NYTimes reports today (5-14-09) that British researchers have discovered a possible method for the natural synthesis of two forms of RNA.  The process is described as simple and readily possible in the early earth environment.

   This discovery increases the likelihood that RNA was the precursor to DNA, and the fundamental beginnings of life here.

  We're getting closer...

This is like saying that " Rain was the precursor to Moisture ". Better yet " Rain was the precursor to the formatons of clouds ". RNA is a messenger a nucleotide. DNA is not yet finalized and when it is finalized we will find the informations as to the how and why's of life. We will find that RNA is a strand of DNA as DNA evolved into a more complex form. 

 I'm not sure I fully understand your post.  It is a fact that there is significant debate regarding whether DNA precursor or RNA precursor was initially formed.  Many researchers lean towards RNA.

   Also, I believe you are saying that when the complete human genome (or DNA strcuture generally?) is understood, it will infrom us as to how it was in initally formed, 3.5 billion years ago.  First, I think scientists pretty well understand the essential structure of of both DNA and RNA.  Yet, they do not readily indicate how these combinations initially formed, and led to self-replication.

  The research alluded to in this article addresses this latter problem.

  Yes, it appears to be a chicken/egg problem superficially, but functionally one  had to predate the other.