BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Talks.cam//talks.cam.ac.uk//
X-WR-CALNAME:Talks.cam
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Surprise LCLU Coffee Discussion! &quot\;Through the looking glass:
  the ban on mirror life research&quot\; - Kira Podolsky (Chemistry &amp\; 
 Biology\, MIT)
DTSTART:20251015T100000Z
DTEND:20251015T110000Z
UID:TALK237139@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Paul B. Rimmer
DESCRIPTION:Life is homochiral\; the biomolecules in every cell on Earth e
 xist as one enantiomer (i.e. “handedness” or chirality). Life of the o
 pposite chirality to life on Earth is termed “mirror life”. The pathwa
 y towards constructing mirror life could lead to enhanced therapies\, nove
 l biomaterials\, and fundamental insights into the origins of life. In 202
 4\, the scientists working on aspects of mirror life called for a now-cont
 roversial ban on this research area. Recently\, the movement to ban mirror
  life has stimulated discussion over scientific precaution and how to mana
 ge precursor biotechnologies without stifling scientific and societal prog
 ress. We will discuss this controversy\, the reasons for the ban\, and a c
 ost-benefit analysis of limiting innovative research.
LOCATION:Battcock\, Room F17
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR