The researchers said that their concerns are not about stifling innovation but about ensuring scientific progress aligns with public safety.
Scientists are calling for a halt to the creation of “ mirror bacteria ,” synthetic microorganisms built from the reversed molecular building blocks of natural life.
Their findings have sparked a global debate about the future of synthetic biology and its ethical limits.“Mirror bacteria would likely evade many human, animal and plant immune system responses and in each case would cause lethal infections that would spread without check.”Life on Earth is built on molecules with a specific chirality, or handedness—a structural asymmetry that dictates their biological interactions.
The report highlights the profound risks associated with mirror bacteria, including their potential to evade immune defenses and disrupt ecosystems. Unlike natural bacteria, which are subject to checks and balances from predators, viruses, and antibiotics, mirror bacteria would operate outside these systems.
The researchers likened the threat of mirror bacteria to that of an invasive species. They could proliferate rapidly, evolving and diversifying without natural competitors to keep them in check.Despite these concerns, the researchers acknowledged that certain aspects of mirror biology could yield significant benefits. Mirror molecules, such as proteins and DNA, are more resistant to degradation in the human body and could lead to breakthroughs in medicine.
Mirror Bacteria Synthetic Biology
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