Experts warn that mirror bacteria, constructed from mirror images of molecules found in nature, could put humans, animals and plants at risk of lethal infections

Summary

Leading scientists, including Nobel laureates, are urging a halt to research on creating “mirror life” microbes, citing “unprecedented risks” to life on Earth.

Mirror microbes, built from reversed molecular structures, could evade natural immune systems, leading to uncontrollable lethal infections.

While mirror molecules hold potential for medical and industrial uses, researchers warn that mirror organisms could escape containment and resist antibiotics.

A 299-page report in Science advocates banning such research until safety can be ensured and calls for global debate on its ethical and ecological implications.

  • Miles O'BrienEnglish
    13•10 hours ago

    As always, some people see Jurassic Park as inspiration and wonder why nobody gave Hammond a chance.

    The rest of us know that Dr. Malcolm was right from the start.

        • @[email protected]English
          6•9 hours ago

          Newman didn’t built the park though. If you require power for the park to not fall apart immediately, you’ve already lost.

          Remember that whole movie happens in one night. T rexes breaking confinement the moment the fence isn’t electrified means some engineer fucked up big time.

      • @batmaniamEnglish
        2•7 hours ago

        Ok. THANK YOU. I also have to say my biggest issue with the newer one (I forget which) is when the parks going to hell, and the park director just decides to go off into the jungle. Like outside of just design of the park, there is NO way you don’t have rigid protocols in-place. Like you read about half the crap Disney does/can do at their parks… there’s no way the head of the park just goes “oh you guys got this, I’ll be back at some point, just do your best”.

        Like if ONLY for the reason it would be a known PR disaster for something that in universe already had PR disasters… that shit would have been drilled in since day -1000. It’s my biggest issue with the writing because it’s not even sci-fi.

        /end rant.

      • Tarquinn2049English
        1•7 hours ago

        Yeah, people in real life won’t be morons, so that would never happen to us. I’m sure the company giving us the lowest bid has probably found some heretofore unknown innovation in efficiency. The end result will be just as good, but way cheaper…

    • @grueEnglish
      1•9 hours ago

      Jurassic Park at least makes sense because dinosaurs are cool.

      Opposite-chirality microbes, though? Nobody asked for that.