Mirror Life, Synthetic Biology, and Managing Uncertainties
Hi there,
Sometimes, the most intriguing science feels like it’s pulled straight from a sci-fi novel—but the implications are profoundly real. In this week’s newsletter, we’re exploring a fascinating and urgent story that’s been capturing attention worldwide.
Headlines are buzzing about a warning from 38 scientists across nine countries. Their focus? Mirror bacteria—synthetic organisms with reversed molecular structures that could fundamentally challenge our understanding of life itself. (Read the technical report here, and a more science-y story here.)
What are Mirror Molecules?
The groundbreaking report from this team explores the feasibility of creating mirror bacteria, organisms made entirely from molecular mirror images of natural life. Such molecules are known as “enantiomers”, which means that they are mirror images of each other but cannot be superimposed. This property is due to the chirality of the molecules, meaning they have an asymmetric arrangement of atoms. (Learn more about chirality in this video.)
Need an example? Hold up your hands. They (likely) have the same number of fingers, a palm, and a back, and have essentially the same shape. But they can’t be superimposed. If you put your palms together, then your fingers line up, but the backs and palms of your hands are mismatched. If you make your palms face the same direction, then your fingers are arranged in a mirror image. In contrast, a symmetrical object lines up perfectly, like the flask in the image below:
In nature on Earth, nearly all proteins are constructed from building blocks that are “left-handed”; sugars are “right-handed.” This could be a historical accident, which means that life elsewhere could have different “handedness”. Or maybe not. Either way, such “handedness” matters. Remember thalidomide?
Why does this matter?
This isn’t just a quirky scientific curiosity. Here are three important points about synthetic bacteria constructed out of mirror molecules that the scientists raise in their report:
💡Immune Evasion Superpower: Mirror bacteria, due to their reversed molecular structures, might be invisible to the immune systems of humans, animals, and plants. Immune defenses rely on recognizing specific molecular patterns, and mirror bacteria's reversed chirality could make them undetectable, granting them unparalleled resistance to natural biological controls.
💡Potential Ecological Takeover: If released into the environment, mirror bacteria could thrive unchecked. They would be immune to natural predators, like protists and bacteriophages, which rely on molecular recognition to prey on bacteria. This could lead to mirror bacteria invading ecosystems and causing irreversible harm, including disruption of nutrient cycles and mass extinctions of vulnerable species.
💡Not Just Dangerous - Potentially Useful: Despite their risks, mirror life could also have extraordinary benefits. For example, mirror molecules are resistant to natural degradation, making them promising for developing stable therapeutics and innovative biotechnologies. This dual potential of mirror bacteria adds to the complexity of deciding whether pursuing this science is worth the risk.
The Bigger Picture
Remember, mirror bacteria do NOT currently exist! Although mirror molecules are already here, the task of constructing entire living organisms from them is likely decades away—if such research is allowed to move forward. We could use the molecules without making whole new forms of life that use them.
Also, in the list of insights above, you’ll notice words like “might”, “could”, “potentially”, and “promising.” We just don’t know!
Looking Ahead
Although we are probably decades away from mirror bacteria, like with many other tantalizing/terrifying innovations, now is the time to prepare.
My advice? Stay curious about the fascinating world of synthetic biology, especially mirror biology! This isn’t just a matter of can it be done? It’s also about should it be done? and who gets to decide? These questions make for intriguing conversations, with family, friends, colleagues, or in broader forums. Exploring the ethical, social, and environmental implications of mirror bacteria helps encourage breakthroughs in science that are aligned with humanity’s best interests.
So let’s keep asking questions, sharing perspectives, and engaging in constructive dialogue that shapes our collective future!
Be voracious,
Tiffany
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