Nobel Laureates Warn of 'Mirror Bacteria' Threat to Global Health, Urge Research Halt

Dec 13, 2024, 01:05 PM

A coalition of 38 scientists, including Nobel laureates and pioneers like Craig Venter and George Church, has issued an urgent warning against the development of synthetic 'mirror bacteria,' organisms composed of molecules with reversed chirality compared to those found in nature. These experts, some of whom previously worked on such research, argue that mirror bacteria could evade immune systems, resist natural predators, and potentially cause lethal infections in humans, animals, and plants. The scientists published their concerns in the journal Science, supported by a 300-page technical report, highlighting the 'unprecedented risk' these organisms pose to global health and ecosystems. They call for a halt to research aimed at creating these synthetic life forms, advocating for global regulations to prevent their development and potential catastrophic release into the environment. The creation of viable mirror bacteria is estimated to be at least a decade away.