Ricin Toxin (Noun)
Meaning
A toxic protein extracted from castor beans; used as a chemical reagent; can be used as a bioweapon; "one milligram of ricin can kill an adult".
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified ricin toxin as a Category B bioterrorism agent due to its high toxicity and potential for misuse.
- Ricin toxin is so potent that just a small amount, roughly the size of a grain of salt, can be lethal if inhaled or ingested.
- The ease of production and availability of castor beans has raised concerns about the potential for ricin toxin to be used as a bioweapon by terrorists.
- Researchers use ricin toxin as a chemical reagent to study cell biology and the mechanisms of protein synthesis and cell death.
- In 1978, Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov was assassinated with a pellet gun that fired a tiny pellet coated with ricin toxin, illustrating the potential for this toxin to be used as a tool for murder.