Recently, the world's top scientists jointly issued a warning:Pointing out that such synthetic organisms may pose "unprecedented risks" to the earth's ecosystem and human health, calling for a moratorium on research aimed at creating "mirror life". Mirror life refers to artificial life forms whose molecular structure is completely opposite to that of existing life on earth.
Specifically,Its DNA is composed of left-handed nucleotides (natural DNA is right-handed), and the protein is made of right-handed amino acids (natural proteins are left-handed). This "chirality flip" molecular structure makes it completely isolated from nature at the biochemical level..
Although a complete mirror-image microorganism has not yet been born, technological breakthroughs are gradually approaching: scientists have successfully created fully functional mirror-image enzymes (such as mirror-image T7 RNA polymerase) that can transcribe mirror-image RNA strands up to 2,900 bases long.
The immune system relies on chiral molecules to recognize pathogens, and the cell wall marker molecules of mirror-image bacteria (such as lipopolysaccharide) cannot be recognized by existing immune mechanisms. Experiments have shown that mirror-image proteins cannot be broken down by proteases in mice, which may lead to unrestricted proliferation.
Jack Szostak’s team at the University of Chicago pointed out,Mirror-image bacteria may infect humans, animals and plants through an "unusually broad host range" and make existing antibiotics completely ineffective.
In addition, mirror microorganisms may become "super invasive species" due to the lack of natural enemies. Even in the highest level biosafety laboratory (BSL-4), the risk of accidental leakage cannot be completely ruled out and may be weaponized.
It is worth mentioning that UNESCO will launch discussions on the Supplementary Protocol to the Biological Weapons Convention in 2024, and plans to bring mirror life into the scope of supervision.
