Science
Scientists Warn ‘Mirror Life’ Bacteria Could End All Life On Earth
Scientists are alerting the public to the possibility that a strange “mirror life” microbe could destroy the entire planet.
The tiny germs have the potential to drastically alter life as we know it on Earth, according to experts.
A group of scientists, including scholars from esteemed universities including the University of Cambridge in the UK and Stanford, Yale, and MIT in the US, have made this claim.
They published an urgent warning in the journal Science after studying microbes.
They are interested in a type of bacteria called “mirror life,” which is the production of artificial life forms.
Mirror-image biological molecules are the source of these.
Why are these forms of bacteria dangerous?
Scientists are concerned that these “mirror life” germs may affect not only other animals and plants but also human immune systems.
We might be at risk of catching deadly viruses if this were to occur, which could result in the extinction of humanity as a whole.
In the report, they said, “Much like an invasive species with few natural predators, we are concerned that mirror bacteria could rapidly proliferate, evolving and diversifying as they spread.”
“Persistent and potentially global presence of mirror bacteria in the environment could repeatedly expose human, animal and plant populations to the risk of lethal infection.”
The researchers advise against creating these kinds of bacteria because they “pose extraordinary dangers.”
The report goes on to say, “We therefore recommend that research with the goal of creating mirror bacteria not be permitted, and that funders make clear that they will not support such work.”
“We recommend that initially, steps be taken to prevent the production of mirror genomes and proteomes, or functional equivalents sufficient to enable the construction of a mirror cell.”
“We also recommend research to better understand and prepare for risks from mirror bacteria, as long as neither mirror bacteria nor any key enabling precursors are produced. Such research might include studying the interaction of mirror biomolecules with the immune system as well as developing detection methods and biosurveillance systems.”
“None of these research directions would require mirror bacteria to be built.”
The idea of what may occur if “mirror life” microorganisms proliferated is undoubtedly disturbing.
In the past, researchers from Spain and Japan discovered a variety of bacteria and fungi in the troposphere, the lowest part of the atmosphere that is in close proximity to the surface.
Among these were dangerous microorganisms like E. coli.
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