‘Unprecedented Risk’ to Life on Earth: Scientists Call for Halt on ‘Mirror Life’ Microbe Research
13th December 2024
The Guardian, a Voice of the Crust.
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.
What ‘scientists’? What ‘experts’? Nobody ever says, specifically, so that we might judge their expertise and evaluate whether they are or are not credible.
World-leading scientists have called for a halt on research to create “mirror life” microbes amid concerns that the synthetic organisms would present an “unprecedented risk” to life on Earth.
The international group of Nobel laureates and other experts warn that mirror bacteria, constructed from mirror images of molecules found in nature, could become established in the environment and slip past the immune defences of natural organisms, putting humans, animals and plants at risk of lethal infections.
Although a viable mirror microbe would probably take at least a decade to build, a new risk assessment raised such serious concerns about the organisms that the 38-strong group urged scientists to stop work towards the goal and asked funders to make clear they will no longer support the research.
Chicken Little, call your office.
UPDATE The Wailing Scientists of Washington: Fear-Mongering in Lab Coats