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Creating 'Mirror Life' Could Be Disastrous, Scientists Warn


//science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. or-life-could-be-disastrous-scientists-warn.html
Published in Science and Technology on Saturday, December 14th 2024 at 12:42 GMT by Scientific American   Print publication without navigation

  • Breakthroughs in synthetic biology could create mirror versions of natural molecules, with devastating consequences for life on Earth

The article from Scientific American discusses the potential risks associated with the creation of "mirror life," which involves synthetic biology techniques to create organisms with mirror-image versions of natural biological molecules. Scientists warn that while this could lead to breakthroughs in medicine and biotechnology, such as producing new drugs or biofuels, it also poses significant dangers. The primary concern is the possibility of these mirror organisms escaping into the environment, where they could become invasive species or cause unintended ecological disruptions because they would be unrecognizable to the natural immune systems of existing organisms. Furthermore, there's a risk that these organisms could evolve in unpredictable ways, potentially leading to new pathogens or altering ecosystems in unforeseen manners. The article highlights the need for stringent safety protocols and ethical considerations in the development of such synthetic life forms to mitigate these risks.

Read the Full Scientific American Article at:
[ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/creating-mirror-life-could-be-disastrous-scientists-warn/ ]

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