Scientists Warn of Risks from Hypothetical Reversed-Handed Microbes

International scientists have issued a stark warning about “mirror bacteria,” hypothetical synthetic microbes created with reversed-handed molecular structures. These organisms could pose unprecedented risks to ecosystems, human health, and biodiversity if not carefully managed, according to a new report.

Life’s building blocks—DNA, RNA, and proteins—exhibit a property known as chirality, or handedness, resembling left and right versions of human hands. Naturally occurring life uses right-handed DNA and left-handed proteins. Hypothetical mirror bacteria would invert this structure, making them fundamentally different from all known organisms.

“This form of life would bypass natural predators like viruses and microbes, enabling it to spread unchecked through ecosystems,” said Vaughn Cooper, a microbiologist at the University of Pittsburgh. This unique resistance could allow infections to proliferate across humans, animals, and plants, potentially overwhelming immune defences and destabilising ecosystems.

Although still theoretical, scientists stressed the need for caution. “Creating such life forms requires major advancements in synthetic biology,” said Patrick Cai from the University of Manchester. While these breakthroughs may be decades away, researchers urged early discussions among policymakers, scientists, and the public to mitigate risks.

Synthetic mirror bacteria could act as invasive species, triggering severe ecological and biological disruptions, the report warned. However, related technologies, like mirror-image DNA and proteins, show promise for advancing medicine, provided safety remains a priority.

“We must anticipate and address these challenges proactively,” Dr Cai emphasised. “This is a chance to guide research responsibly, ensuring benefits without jeopardising life on Earth.”

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