A team of 38 researchers, including four from Stanford University, has published a report in Science warning against pursuing the concept of “mirror life,” where organisms are constructed with opposite handedness to that seen in nature. The researchers argue that building entire mirror organisms is not imminent but could lead to serious risks such as untreatable infections and irreversible ecosystem disruption.
The team, which includes experts in immunology, ecology, evolutionary biology, planetary sciences, biosecurity, policymaking, and synthetic biology, has raised concerns about the potential dangers of mirror life. “The whole possibility of mirror life is far in the future,” said Mark M. Davis, a co-author of the report. “But by thinking about it now, we can prevent that future completely.”
One of the major concerns about mirror life is its potential to outcompete existing organisms and lead to ecological disasters. The researchers also worry that mirror proteins could be devastating and potentially lead to pandemics.
The team warns that attempting to build a mirror cell would cost around $500 million, which is too far ahead of current capabilities. They believe it’s essential to have these conversations now to prevent the advancement of this technology.
While some applications of mirror work, such as therapies using mirror proteins, might be beneficial, the researchers emphasize that building entire mirror organisms poses significant risks and should not be pursued.
Source: https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2024/12/potential-risks-of-mirror-life