A 'Second Tree of Life' Could Wreak Havoc, Scientists Warn

i'ld like to better understand the history of calls to abandon or slow research in any field of science.

experts working at the edge of their field likely have strong imaginations that could lead them to discoveries and making strong predicitive claims (either that the technology will save the world or doom it).

the concerns of mirror cells going wild remind me of a chapter in biopunk discussing why past bio engineering fears have failed to materialize (due to the constraints of physics).

Research on so-called mirror cells, which defy fundamental properties of living organisms, should be prohibited as too dangerous, biologists said. Scientists warn that within a few decades, they will be able to create a microbe that could cause an unstoppable pandemic, devastating crop losses or the collapse of entire ecosystems. The consequences could be globally disastrous. Mirror cells could evade most of the barriers that keep ordinary organisms in check. They could be resistant to most antibiotics. There is a call to abandon the research.