About
This event is the first public international meeting considering the implications of developing mirror life.
In 2024, a commentary in Science described potential risks from the creation of mirror bacteria—bacteria in which all biomolecules are the mirror-image versions of natural ones. The article, authored by a group including many who had previously intended to develop such organisms, explains how the risks of mirror bacteria could be unprecedentedly severe, and that mirror bacteria could plausibly be created in the coming decades. It calls for further discussion to chart a responsible path forward.
In line with this recommendation, Institut Pasteur is hosting this public symposium to communicate current scientific understanding of mirror life feasibility and risks, and of the conversation now beginning to further understand and mitigate these risks. This symposium will be broadcast online to enable global attendance.
Provisional program
Four to five speakers will deliver talks covering:
- Context on the broader conversation around mirror life: historical background, the arguments of the recent Science article, planned meetings, and threads of discussion
- The findings of the Technical Report on Mirror Bacteria: Feasibility and Risks on the feasibility, biosafety and biosecurity of mirror life, as well as the risks to human health and the ecosystem.
The symposium is supported by the Mirror Biology Dialogues Fund.
More details on the program to follow.
Organisation committee
Yasmine Belkaid (Institut Pasteur)
Margaret Buckingham (Institut Pasteur)
David Bikard (Institut Pasteur)
John Glass (JCVI)
David Relman (Stanford)
James Smith (JCVI/MBDF)