331
submitted 1 week ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/world@lemmy.world

Summary

Leading scientists, including Nobel laureates, are urging a halt to research on creating “mirror life” microbes, citing “unprecedented risks” to life on Earth.

Mirror microbes, built from reversed molecular structures, could evade natural immune systems, leading to uncontrollable lethal infections.

While mirror molecules hold potential for medical and industrial uses, researchers warn that mirror organisms could escape containment and resist antibiotics.

A 299-page report in Science advocates banning such research until safety can be ensured and calls for global debate on its ethical and ecological implications.

(page 2) 24 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] solsangraal@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 week ago

even the most impotent limp dicked authoritarian gets a raging boner over tech that will cause mass human death. the more apocalyptic, the better. as such, this might just be the only research that will be govt funded in the near future

[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

I don't know, seems like it could be merciful.

Start back over again with the microbes and try to do a better job this time.

load more comments (4 replies)
[-] NotMyOldRedditName@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Just wait until we start making mirror vaccines, the antivax folks heads will explode.

[-] whotookkarl@lemmy.world 0 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Because when you discover something exceptionally dangerous the best approach is to halt research? To purposefully deprive yourself of understanding what it is and how it works and effects and interactions? Wouldn't you want more research, just under more strict protocols?

load more comments (3 replies)
load more comments
view more: ‹ prev next ›
this post was submitted on 13 Dec 2024
331 points (98.3% liked)

World News

39376 readers
2505 users here now

A community for discussing events around the World

Rules:

Similarly, if you see posts along these lines, do not engage. Report them, block them, and live a happier life than they do. We see too many slapfights that boil down to "Mom! He's bugging me!" and "I'm not touching you!" Going forward, slapfights will result in removed comments and temp bans to cool off.

We ask that the users report any comment or post that violate the rules, to use critical thinking when reading, posting or commenting. Users that post off-topic spam, advocate violence, have multiple comments or posts removed, weaponize reports or violate the code of conduct will be banned.

All posts and comments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This means that some content that violates the rules may be allowed, while other content that does not violate the rules may be removed. The moderators retain the right to remove any content and ban users.


Lemmy World Partners

News !news@lemmy.world

Politics !politics@lemmy.world

World Politics !globalpolitics@lemmy.world


Recommendations

For Firefox users, there is media bias / propaganda / fact check plugin.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/media-bias-fact-check/

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS