N@N

Scientists warn over 'mirror bacteria' that could wipe out mankind

^{Published on 2024-12-14 16:22:18 - MSN}
 

• A group of 38 leading scientists are calling for a pause on research to create 'mirror life' - a form of artificial organism which could infect and kill all life on Earth.

The article from MSN discusses a concerning development in microbiology where scientists have discovered "mirror bacteria" or "inverted bacteria," which are essentially the mirror-image versions of existing bacteria. These bacteria have their molecular structures flipped, making them potentially resistant to all known antibiotics because these drugs are designed to interact with the standard molecular configurations of bacteria. Researchers at the University of Warwick, led by Professor David Roper, have been studying these mirror-image microbes, which could theoretically evolve naturally or be created in labs. The fear is that if these mirror bacteria were to become widespread, they could lead to untreatable infections, posing a significant threat to humanity. The article highlights the urgency for new research into antibiotics that could target these inverted forms, as current treatments would be ineffective against them.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/techandscience/scientists-warn-over-mirror-bacteria-that-could-wipe-out-mankind/ar-AA1vNynZ ]

Contributing Sources

---