A group of 38 scientists from nine countries have issued a warning about the potential creation of “mirror bacteria,” which could put humans, animals, and plants at risk of exposure to dangerous pathogens.
The concept of mirror bacteria is based on the idea of creating biological molecules with the opposite structure found in nature. For example, DNA and RNA are made up of “right-handed” nucleotides, while proteins are made up of “left-handed” amino acids. The creation of mirror bacteria would require the development of new technologies and methods for synthesizing biological molecules with the opposite chirality.
While the creation of mirror bacteria is still a long-term goal for researchers, the scientists are concerned about the potential risks it poses. They argue that the creation of mirror bacteria could lead to the production of pathogens that are resistant to the human immune system, potentially causing widespread and devastating outbreaks.
The scientists are calling for a moratorium on research into mirror bacteria until further evidence is gathered to determine whether it poses a significant threat to human health and the environment. They also suggest that funders should not support research into mirror bacteria until more is known about the risks and benefits.
The creation of mirror bacteria is still in its early stages, and it would require a significant amount of funding and resources to develop the necessary technologies and methods. However, the scientists are warning that the risks posed by mirror bacteria are “unprecedented” and “overlooked,” and that it is essential to address these concerns before proceeding with further research.
The scientists’ warning is based on a 300-page technical report that details the feasibility and risks of creating mirror bacteria. They argue that the creation of mirror bacteria would be a “genie that you don’t want to let out of the bottle,” and that the consequences of doing so could be catastrophic.
Despite the concerns, some scientists are still skeptical about the potential risks posed by mirror bacteria. Tom Ellis, a professor of synthetic genome engineering, noted that the research is still in its early stages and that it would be a long time before mirror bacteria could be created. He also pointed out that creating synthetic life using non-mirror molecules has been challenging and would be even more difficult using mirror molecules.
Overall, the warning from the group of scientists highlights the potential risks associated with the creation of mirror bacteria and the need for further research into the matter before proceeding with its development.