An international team of world leading synthetic biologists, including Baiyang Chair Professor Zhang Weiwen from Tianjin University Center for Biosafety Research and Strategy, has published a cautionary paper in the journal Science on December 12, 2024. The group is urging the global scientific community to approach the development of "mirror life" with great caution and to adopt collective measures to address its potential harms.
Mirror life, an emerging field within synthetic biology, refers to artificially created organisms composed of mirror-image biomolecules, diverging radically from all known homochiral life where DNA and RNA consist of "right-handed" nucleotides and proteins from "left-handed" amino acids. Motivated by the potential for novel applications, researchers are exploring this concept, although the actual creation of mirror life is likely still a decade away and requires major technological advances.
After extensive discussions in 2024, an international expert group has urged caution, recommending that the creation of mirror life be prohibited unless it can be conclusively shown that these organisms pose no significant risk to natural ecosystems. This includes forms engineered with biocontainment strategies to prevent environmental release. Given the unprecedented nature of the risks, a broad discussion involving the global research community, policymakers, and the public is essential to navigate the ethical and societal implications and ensure responsible development.
The expert group also suggests that transparent, limited, and specific international research could be considered to understand the specific risks posed by mirror life, preparing for their potential creation. However, any research aimed at countering these organisms should not involve the creation of mirror life or their essential precursors.
Comprised of 38 scientists from nine countries, including two Nobel laureates and many leaders in synthetic biology, immunology, plant pathology, ecology, evolutionary biology, and planetary science, the group's findings were published alongside a detailed 300-page technical report. The article calls for increased scrutiny over research involving mirror life, urging a broad dialogue among scientists, policymakers, and other stakeholders to better understand and mitigate potential risks.
Professor Zhang emphasized the role of scientists in preventing misuse at the forefront of biotechnological innovation. "Scientists are the first line of defense against any potential misuse of biotechnology. It is crucial to increase awareness and engagement in biosafety and biosecurity issues within the scientific community, and to foster a culture of responsible research and application in synthetic biology," said Professor Zhang.
The publication marks a significant discussion within the synthetic biology community about the biosafety and impacts of new technologies. The "Code for Conducts for Biological Scientists: Tianjin Guidelines," spearheaded by the Tianjin University Center for Biosafety Research and Strategy,, was highlighted as a key international standard in the field.
This call for a broader discussion of the risks associated with mirror life marks the start of a global conversation. Following the publication of Science article, major international newspapers, including The New York Times, Financial Times, The Times, The Guardian, and scientific journals like The Scientist, have published in-depth commentaries., which reflect the widespread interest and concerns over these synthetic biology developments.
By: Qin Mian
