镜像生命威胁之争

Bacteria created using mirror images of natural biomolecules pose a risk to life on Earth, some researchers warn, but others say they have a key weakness, finds James Woodford ANY “mirror life” made in the laboratory would have a hard time surviving in the wild, according to a modelling study. To do so, it would need a ready supply of “mirror food”, or some novel way to feed itself. But the research has drawn a backlash from other experts in the field who warn that it may underestimate the grave risks posed by these organisms. THOM LEACH/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/ALAMY Many biological molecules, such as DNA and proteins, are chiral, which means they can exist in either left-handed or right-handed forms. …