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EPISODE · Jul 3, 2025 · 28 MIN

The potential benefits and risks of developing "mirror life"

from Future Tense · host Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Synthetic biologists are hard at work developing artificial biological molecules as the first step toward developing a mirror cell that would be immune from infection. If they're successful, it could transform the world of medicine. But while the potential of mirror life is great, so too are the risks. There are warnings of a catastrophic impact if the cells can't be controlled. And that's prompted calls for a moratorium on the research.GuestsAssociate Professor Kate Adamala — Synthetic biologist and professor of genetics, University of MinnesotaProfessor Andrew Ellington — Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, University of Texas at AustinProfessor Heather Douglas — Department of Philosophy, Michigan State UniversityAjay Kshatriya — CEO Aizen Therapeutics

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jul 3, 2025

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