In an alarming study, scientists have issued a warning about the potential risks of creating “mirror bacteria”, an entirely new type of life form made from mirror-image biological molecules. This research, published in Science, suggests that these synthetic organisms could evade the immune system, spread out of control and cause serious harm to humans, animals and plants.

What are mirror bacteria?

Mirror bacteria are synthetic life forms made from biological molecules that are the opposite of those found in natural organisms. In nature, life on Earth is made up of “right-handed” nucleotides in DNA and “left-handed” amino acids in proteins. However, mirror bacteria would use “left-handed” nucleotides and “right-handed” amino acids, essentially reversing the chirality of the molecules that make up life. Although these bacteria do not exist in nature, technological advances in synthetic biology make their creation a plausible future possibility.

How could mirror bacteria be dangerous?

The most concerning aspect of mirror bacteria is that they could bypass the immune system’s natural defenses. Human, animal and plant immune systems rely on chiral molecules to recognize and combat harmful invaders. Since mirror bacteria are the opposite of natural organisms, the immune system would likely fail to recognize them, leaving the body vulnerable to infection. In severe cases, these infections could be fatal.

Not only would mirror bacteria evade immune detection, but they could also resist many natural predators, such as viruses that target ordinary bacteria. This means that mirror bacteria could survive and spread much more easily in the environment, potentially becoming an invasive species. They could also prove resistant to antibiotics and other defenses currently used against bacteria, allowing them to proliferate out of control.

Why should we worry?

The potential for mirror bacteria to cause widespread ecological damage is a major concern. They could invade multiple ecosystems, infecting plants, animals and humans, with devastating consequences. The ability of these bacteria to spread rapidly, evade the immune system, and resist predation makes them particularly dangerous.

Although it may be another decade or more before scientists are able to create mirror bacteria in the lab, researchers warn that we need to start preparing now for the risks these organisms could pose. The potential harm caused by these synthetic life forms could be so great that scientists are calling for a global debate on how to regulate this research and prevent the creation of mirror bacteria.