Scientists have recently warned that research into "mirror life" may pose unprecedented risks. This research explores a hypothetical form of life whose molecular structures are mirror images of the molecules found in life as we know it on Earth. In other words, these organisms would have "flipped" chemical structures that are fundamentally different from known life forms.
The theory of mirror life is based on the assumption that all life on Earth, whether plants, animals, or microorganisms, relies on specific molecular asymmetries, such as the "left-handedness" of amino acids and the "right-handedness" of sugars. Scientists hypothesize that mirror-symmetric life forms could exist in extreme environments, such as other planets or moons. However, conducting such experiments could carry significant ecological and biosecurity risks.
Researchers are concerned that if mirror life is somehow created and accidentally released into the environment, it could have unpredictable impacts on existing ecosystems. Due to the entirely different structure of these organisms, conventional biological control methods might not be effective in containing their spread.
This type of research has also sparked discussions about ethics and safety. Experts are calling for stricter regulation of experiments involving mirror life and the establishment of dedicated ethics committees to assess potential impacts. They emphasize that scientific progress should not come at the expense of ecological safety and ethics. Instead, such research should adhere to a principle of caution to avoid possible risks.
Currently, the international scientific community is closely monitoring this issue and is debating whether more stringent regulations are needed to ensure that research on mirror life is conducted in a safe and controlled manner.
