A group of 38 international experts, including Nobel laureates and leading scientists, have urged a halt on research into creating “mirror life” microbes due to concerns over their potential risks to human and animal life. The researchers warn that these synthetic organisms could evade the immune systems of natural organisms, causing lethal infections.
The mirror bacteria would be constructed from the mirror images of molecules found in nature, with DNA made from left-handed nucleotides and proteins made from right-handed amino acids. While scientists have already manufactured large, functional mirror molecules to study them, constructing a whole organism from mirror molecules is currently beyond their expertise.
The experts cite potential applications for mirror molecules, such as therapies for chronic diseases, but emphasize that the risks associated with creating mirror microbes outweigh these benefits. The researchers doubt that existing antibiotics would be effective against mirror life, and question whether it could be safely contained or kept in check by natural competitors and predators.
“We believe that unless compelling evidence emerges that mirror life would not pose extraordinary dangers, we should not create mirror bacteria,” said Dr. Kate Adamala, a synthetic biologist at the University of Minnesota and co-author on the report.
The group’s call for a halt on research into mirror microbes comes as they seek to start a global conversation about the potential risks and benefits of creating such organisms.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/dec/12/unprecedented-risk-to-life-on-earth-scientists-call-for-halt-on-mirror-life-microbe-research