Scientists Call for Ban on 'Mirror Life' Research Over Global Risk Concerns

Experts warn synthetic mirror organisms could evade immune systems and disrupt ecosystems, posing unprecedented threats to life on Earth.

A group of 38 scientists, including Nobel laureates, has urged a halt to research on synthetic mirror bacteria, citing potential global health and ecological risks.
Mirror life involves creating organisms with reversed molecular structures, which could evade immune defenses and natural predators, potentially causing widespread infections.
The scientists warn that mirror bacteria could spread uncontrollably across ecosystems, affecting humans, animals, and plants with no effective containment measures currently available.
While the technology to create mirror life is at least a decade away, researchers emphasize the need for preemptive global discussions and regulatory frameworks to address the risks.
Although mirror molecules have potential medical applications, such as long-lasting therapeutics, experts believe the dangers of mirror bacteria far outweigh the benefits.