What is ‘mirror life’ and why are scientists sounding the alarm?

Recently, a group of world-leading scientists called for a halt on
research to create ‘mirror life’ microbes amid concerns that the
synthetic organisms would present an ‘unprecedented risk’ to life
on Earth. Ian Sample tells Madeleine Finlay about why this work
initially seemed exciting for scientists and what the risks of it
continuing could be. And Kate Adamala, assistant professor of
genetics, cell biology and development at the University of
Minnesota, describes what made her change her mind about pursuing
her own research on mirror cells. Help support our independent
journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod