Signs of cataclysm on Earth: Lab-made 'mirror-image' bacteria threaten to kill humanity

Mirror-Image Bacteria: Recently, the world's top scientists have pointed to a major threat. 'Mirror-image' bacteria, which are being synthetically created in the lab, can pose a unique threat to life.

Mirror-Image Bacteria: Recently, the world's top scientists have pointed to a major threat. 'Mirror-image' bacteria, which are being synthetically created in the lab, can pose a unique threat to life. The warning was published in a policy forum published in the journal Science.

According to the scientists, 'mirror-image' bacteria are inverted structures of biological molecules found in nature. If these bacteria become established in the environment, it can bypass the immune systems of human, animal and plant. This can lead to fatal infections, which will not be possible to deal with.

What is 'mirror-image' bacteria?

All biological molecules such as proteins, DNA, and RNA are in a different structure. They are like 'left-handed' or 'right-handed'. But scientists are now working on bacteria whose molecules are in the opposite direction. Synthetic biologists have already created mirror-image proteins and genetic molecules. However, it is not yet possible to create a complete 'mirror-image' organism. But scientists believe that this may be possible in the next decade.

What is the danger?

According to Von Cooper, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh, mirror-image bacteria can escape the immune system of humans, animals and plants. Infections caused by it can be fatal and will be impossible to prevent. Yale University immunologist Ruslan Medhajitov warned that if these bacteria spread to soil and dust, it could permanently contaminate the environment. They say that its effect can be so deadly that it becomes the biggest threat to life on Earth.

An international team of

38 experts, including Nobel laureates Jack Sjstak and Greg Winter, have called for a complete halt to the growth of mirror-image bacteria. These scientists have said that until it is proved that there is no danger from these organisms, research on it should be stopped. Kate Adama, a scientist at the University of Minnesota who had previously been working on it, changed direction, believing it to be dangerous. "We should not try to create a 'mirror-life'. It's time we started discussing it around the world.

What could be the solution?

Professor Paul Fremont of Imperial College London described this as an example of responsible research. They believe that this technology should only be used in a controlled and safe way. Scientists say that researchers and funding agencies should now seriously consider these risks before taking any step in this direction. As Sojstak said, it would be best if we did not go down this path.