A group of 38 leading scientists, including Nobel laureates, has called for an immediate global halt to research into synthetic “mirror life” bacteria, warning that these engineered organisms could pose an unprecedented threat to life on Earth. Mirror bacteria, constructed using mirror-image molecules, could bypass immune defenses in humans, animals, and plants, potentially causing fatal infections and uncontrollable spread.
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Prof Vaughn Cooper from the University of Pittsburgh emphasized the unique dangers, stating that mirror bacteria could evade immune responses and lead to unchecked, lethal infections. The concept of mirror life involves creating organisms from reversed versions of biological molecules like DNA and proteins. While fully developed mirror microbes are at least a decade away, experts stress the need for a global conversation about their potential risks.
Prominent scientists such as Dr. Craig Venter, Prof Greg Winter, and Prof Jack Szostak have supported the call for caution. They argue that unless clear evidence emerges showing that mirror life won’t pose extraordinary dangers, these organisms should not be created. The report, published in Science, also acknowledged possible applications of mirror molecules, but the risks outweigh the benefits, experts say.
