A group of leading international scientists is calling for a global conversation about the potential creation of “mirror bacteria”—a hypothetical form of life built with chiral, or reversed biological molecules.
In a new report published today in the journal Science, the researchers, including Professor Patrick Cai, a world leader in synthetic genomics and biosecurity, from The University of Manchester, explain that these mirrored organisms would differ fundamentally from all known life and could pose risks to ecosystems and human health if not carefully managed.
Driven by scientific curiosity, some researchers around the world are beginning to explore the possibility of creating mirror bacteria, and although the capability to engineer such life forms is likely decades away and would require major technological breakthroughs, the researchers are calling for a broad discussion among the global research community, policymakers, research funders, industry, civil society, and the public now to ensure a safe path forward.
Professor Cai said: “While mirror bacteria are still a theoretical concept and something that we likely won’t see for a few decades, we have an opportunity here to consider and pre-empt risks before they arise.
“These bacteria could potentially evade immune defences, resist natural predators, and disrupt ecosystems. By raising awareness now, we hope to guide research in a way that prioritises safety for people, animals, and the environment.”
The analysis is conducted by 38 scientists from nine countries including leading experts in immunology, plant pathology, ecology, evolutionary biology, biosecurity, and planetary sciences. The publication in Science is accompanied by a detailed 300-page technical report.
The analysis concluded that mirror bacteria could broadly evade many immune defences of humans, animals, and potentially plants.
It also suggests that mirror bacteria could evade natural predators like viruses and microbes, which typically control bacterial populations. If spread, these bacteria could move between different ecosystems and put humans, animals, and plants at continuous risk of infection.
The scientists emphasise that while speculative, these possibilities merit careful consideration to ensure scientific progress aligns with public safety.
Professor Cai added: “At this stage, it’s also important to clarify that some related technologies, such as mirror-image DNA and proteins, hold immense potential for advancing science and medicine. Similarly, synthetic cell research, which does not directly lead to mirror bacteria, is critical to advancing basic science. We do not recommend restricting any of these areas of research. I hope this is the starter of many discussions engaging broader communities and stakeholders soon. We look forward to hosting a forum here in Manchester in autumn 2025.”
Going forward, the researchers plan to host a series of events to scrutinise their findings and encourage open discussion about the report. For now, they recommend halting any efforts toward the creation of mirror bacteria and urge funding bodies not to support such work. They also propose examining the governance of enabling technologies to ensure they are managed responsibly.
