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.

  • Magister@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    25
    arrow-down
    4
    ·
    16 hours ago

    If the world wants it banned, you can be sure China and Russia are working on it in secret labs, maybe USA too anyway.

    • NeatoBuilds@mander.xyz
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      14
      ·
      15 hours ago

      Like when the UN banned buying uranium from apartheid south Africa mines but everyone kept buying anyway