This is a lot easier to deal with than other large threats. The CO2 keeps rising because fossil fuels are so nearly indispensable. AI keeps getting smarter because they’re harmless and useful now and only dangerous in some uncertain future. Nuclear weapons still exist because they can end any war. But there is no strong argument for building mirror life.
I read (much of) the 300 page report giving the detailed argument. They make a good case that the effects of a release of a mirror bacterium would be apocalyptic. But what I found more interesting and encouraging was the discussion of the benefits of creating a mirror bacterium. They’re honestly pretty small. —It would make it cheaper to manufacture some theoretical drugs, not yet known to be effective.
—it would be an amazing biochemical stunt. Someone might get a Nobel Prize.
—and that’s it! Given the very small “pro” factors and the very large “con”, I would think it would be very easy to prevent anyone from doing it. Sensible people will refrain, and sensible lawmakers will forbid it. Moreover, given the indiscriminate nature of mirror bacteria, I find it hard to believe any group will want to release it.
This is a lot easier to deal with than other large threats. The CO2 keeps rising because fossil fuels are so nearly indispensable. AI keeps getting smarter because they’re harmless and useful now and only dangerous in some uncertain future. Nuclear weapons still exist because they can end any war. But there is no strong argument for building mirror life.
I read (much of) the 300 page report giving the detailed argument. They make a good case that the effects of a release of a mirror bacterium would be apocalyptic. But what I found more interesting and encouraging was the discussion of the benefits of creating a mirror bacterium. They’re honestly pretty small.
—It would make it cheaper to manufacture some theoretical drugs, not yet known to be effective.
—it would be an amazing biochemical stunt. Someone might get a Nobel Prize.
—and that’s it!
Given the very small “pro” factors and the very large “con”, I would think it would be very easy to prevent anyone from doing it. Sensible people will refrain, and sensible lawmakers will forbid it. Moreover, given the indiscriminate nature of mirror bacteria, I find it hard to believe any group will want to release it.