A group of 40 renowned scientists has issued a warning about the potential dangers of creating entire mirror-image life forms made from enantiomers, which can’t be superimposed on one another. These “mirror bacteria” could evade people’s immune systems, causing deadly infections and potentially displacing native species. The risk is significant because our immune defences rely on recognising conserved molecular patterns found in natural pathogens, which are built from left-handed amino acids. Mirror bacteria would lack these recognisable patterns, rendering our immune systems blind to their presence.
The creation of mirror life poses a unique challenge due to its potential impact on ecosystems and human health. While the technical barriers remain significant, scientists acknowledge that acting now through robust governance, careful oversight, and international collaboration is crucial to prevent the creation of full mirror organisms unless their risks are understood and mitigated. The research is driven by both curiosity and practical applications, such as developing new medical treatments for cancer.
The potential benefits of mirror molecules are tantalising, but the risks far outweigh them. Scientists have already made reflections of DNA and functional “mirror enzymes,” demonstrating that building these mirror biological molecules is achievable. However, creating full mirror organisms, specifically microbial life like bacteria, is still a decade away. The 300-page technical analysis underpinning the scientists’ warning provides a stark message about the extraordinary risks of mirror organisms.
Source: https://theconversation.com/mirror-life-forms-may-sound-like-science-fiction-but-scientists-warn-they-could-be-deadly-to-humans-and-destroy-the-environment-246013