Spies Like Us
Final Spy File (Not Coded Version)
Agent:
Agent:
Weapon: Ricin
Agent: Plant Toxin
Chemical Formula: Ricin is a naturally occurring toxin found in castor beans
Chemical Structure: (Orange is chain B, Purple is chain A)
Agent: Plant Toxin
Chemical Formula: Ricin is a naturally occurring toxin found in castor beans
Chemical Structure: (Orange is chain B, Purple is chain A)
Development: (2-5) Ricin is a toxic protein that can be extracted from the plant Ricinus Communis, also called the castor bean plant. Castor beans are pressed to obtain the oil, which is used for medical purposes, and the by product of this process is the separation of the ricin proteins. The ricin proteins can then be dried into a powder, dried into a pellet, or dissolved in solution to produce ricin poison spray.
Recent studies have been trying to use the ricin toxins ability to kill cell ribosomes to target specific cells, such as cancerous cells. Ricin is also being tested for use in the medical field for in vitro situations, such as bone marrow transplants. The RTA-Immunotoxins in the ricin can be targeted to destroy the T Lymphocytes in the bone marrow taken from donors, which reduced the chance of rejection by the recipient. Although these situations have not been successful so far, the research is looking promising. Ricin has also been tested for use in autologous bone marrow transplants, a sample of the patients own bone marrow can be treated with anti-T cell immunotoxins to destroy malignant T-cells.
Period of Use: Purified ricin is a concern if used as a weapon for many reasons. First, castor bean plants are readily available and an unlimited supply can be produced. Also, ricin can be produced into a liquid, spray, pellet, or dissolvable tablet which makes ricin poisoning hard to diagnose. The symptoms of ricin poisoning are similar to many other kinds of poisoning so many cases are misdiagnosed. Ricin is an especially dangerous toxin because there are no vaccines or cures to eliminate the toxin once it enters the body. Ricin is unique because unlike other toxins, ricin can be absorbed through the skin, ingestion, or inhalation. Once it enters the body it will attack all systems including respiratory, nervous, circulatory, digestive, and skeletal.
Ricin is still being developed as a war agent weapon. Some sources believe ricin could have been used in the Iran - Iraq war in the 1980’s, but symptoms of ricin poisoning are very similar to other toxins so experts can’t tell for sure if ricin was used. The first affirmed case of ricin poisoning was in 1978 when a man from Bulgaria was attacked by a man with an umbrella while waiting for a bus in London. The umbrella apparently contained ricin darts that were injected into the man’s skin during the attack. The next reported attempt of ricin poisoning was in 2003 when ricin toxin was found in a train station in Paris. There were three reported attacks in 2004, then seven in 2008. A recent attack on April 17, 2013 against president Obama was confirmed after a letter containing a suspicious substance was confiscated by the Secret Service. Dozens of new ricin poisoning cases are still popping up, most either suicides or murder of a specific person.
Production Process/Chemical Reactions: Ricin is produced as a byproduct of processing castor beans for castor oil. Castor beans are pressed for oil (for use in the medical field), and a mash containing a high concentration of ricin is left over. The ricin proteins can then easily be extracted from the mash and dehydrated into a powder or dissolved in a fluid.
Ricin has the ability to prohibit cell protein production because of the ibsome-inactivating proteins. Most plants contain this protein (Type 1 ibsome-inactivating protein), but the difference is that in order to bond with the cell, they require a second monomer, a galactose binding lectin forming a Type 2 ibsome-inactivating protein.
Use: Ricin protein can be formulated into a pellet form for injection, a mist form for inhalation, or a powder form for consumption. Ricin can also be dissolved into a liquid or drink.
Effects on Organic Life: Ricin inactivates the ribosomes in cells, causing to be unable to produce protein. Without protein, the cells die. Less than a pinpoint of ricin can kill an adult if injected into the bloodstream or ingested orally. Castor bean plants are sometimes made into necklaces, but reports have been made about skin irritations occurring from the seeds. It is recommended to not let children near castor beans, even necklaces, because they are especially susceptible to the ricin poison. It has been reported in numerous cases that one castor bean seed can kill a small child if swallowed.
Effects on the Environment: The seeds of the Castor bean plant, Ricinus Communis, are poisonous to animals, people, and insects. Castor beans plants are grown in several varieties for the oil found in its leaves and stem. Castor bean plants are native to Africa and can grow up to 15 feet tall. Ricin toxin does not have any effect on native plant life, but can kill animals and insects that consume its seeds. Most often, if the seed is not chewed or broken, it will pass through the digestive system with no damage to the animal, but if the outer coat of the seed is damaged, the ricin toxins will absorb into the animal.
Current Status: Ricin is currently being tested in Europe for use as a natural pesticide. Scientists found that 2% ricin pellet killed southern Corn Rootworm, but sheep can tolerate a 10% ricin bean diet without showing any signs of illness.
Disposal Method: No disposal is necessary because ricin is a naturally occurring toxin. The best way to dispose of ricin protein powder would be to dilute it in a liquid so that the concentration of ricin is not dangerous.
Connection to Country: Some sources report that ricin was found in Al Qaeda caves in Afghanistan, but the reports have not been confirmed. There are no confirmed cases of ricin poisoning in Afghanistan.
Sources:
http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/toxicagents/ricin.html
http://www.ehso.com/ricin.php
http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/31/us/ricin-fast-facts
http://www.nationalterroralert.com/ricin/
Recent studies have been trying to use the ricin toxins ability to kill cell ribosomes to target specific cells, such as cancerous cells. Ricin is also being tested for use in the medical field for in vitro situations, such as bone marrow transplants. The RTA-Immunotoxins in the ricin can be targeted to destroy the T Lymphocytes in the bone marrow taken from donors, which reduced the chance of rejection by the recipient. Although these situations have not been successful so far, the research is looking promising. Ricin has also been tested for use in autologous bone marrow transplants, a sample of the patients own bone marrow can be treated with anti-T cell immunotoxins to destroy malignant T-cells.
Period of Use: Purified ricin is a concern if used as a weapon for many reasons. First, castor bean plants are readily available and an unlimited supply can be produced. Also, ricin can be produced into a liquid, spray, pellet, or dissolvable tablet which makes ricin poisoning hard to diagnose. The symptoms of ricin poisoning are similar to many other kinds of poisoning so many cases are misdiagnosed. Ricin is an especially dangerous toxin because there are no vaccines or cures to eliminate the toxin once it enters the body. Ricin is unique because unlike other toxins, ricin can be absorbed through the skin, ingestion, or inhalation. Once it enters the body it will attack all systems including respiratory, nervous, circulatory, digestive, and skeletal.
Ricin is still being developed as a war agent weapon. Some sources believe ricin could have been used in the Iran - Iraq war in the 1980’s, but symptoms of ricin poisoning are very similar to other toxins so experts can’t tell for sure if ricin was used. The first affirmed case of ricin poisoning was in 1978 when a man from Bulgaria was attacked by a man with an umbrella while waiting for a bus in London. The umbrella apparently contained ricin darts that were injected into the man’s skin during the attack. The next reported attempt of ricin poisoning was in 2003 when ricin toxin was found in a train station in Paris. There were three reported attacks in 2004, then seven in 2008. A recent attack on April 17, 2013 against president Obama was confirmed after a letter containing a suspicious substance was confiscated by the Secret Service. Dozens of new ricin poisoning cases are still popping up, most either suicides or murder of a specific person.
Production Process/Chemical Reactions: Ricin is produced as a byproduct of processing castor beans for castor oil. Castor beans are pressed for oil (for use in the medical field), and a mash containing a high concentration of ricin is left over. The ricin proteins can then easily be extracted from the mash and dehydrated into a powder or dissolved in a fluid.
Ricin has the ability to prohibit cell protein production because of the ibsome-inactivating proteins. Most plants contain this protein (Type 1 ibsome-inactivating protein), but the difference is that in order to bond with the cell, they require a second monomer, a galactose binding lectin forming a Type 2 ibsome-inactivating protein.
Use: Ricin protein can be formulated into a pellet form for injection, a mist form for inhalation, or a powder form for consumption. Ricin can also be dissolved into a liquid or drink.
Effects on Organic Life: Ricin inactivates the ribosomes in cells, causing to be unable to produce protein. Without protein, the cells die. Less than a pinpoint of ricin can kill an adult if injected into the bloodstream or ingested orally. Castor bean plants are sometimes made into necklaces, but reports have been made about skin irritations occurring from the seeds. It is recommended to not let children near castor beans, even necklaces, because they are especially susceptible to the ricin poison. It has been reported in numerous cases that one castor bean seed can kill a small child if swallowed.
Effects on the Environment: The seeds of the Castor bean plant, Ricinus Communis, are poisonous to animals, people, and insects. Castor beans plants are grown in several varieties for the oil found in its leaves and stem. Castor bean plants are native to Africa and can grow up to 15 feet tall. Ricin toxin does not have any effect on native plant life, but can kill animals and insects that consume its seeds. Most often, if the seed is not chewed or broken, it will pass through the digestive system with no damage to the animal, but if the outer coat of the seed is damaged, the ricin toxins will absorb into the animal.
Current Status: Ricin is currently being tested in Europe for use as a natural pesticide. Scientists found that 2% ricin pellet killed southern Corn Rootworm, but sheep can tolerate a 10% ricin bean diet without showing any signs of illness.
Disposal Method: No disposal is necessary because ricin is a naturally occurring toxin. The best way to dispose of ricin protein powder would be to dilute it in a liquid so that the concentration of ricin is not dangerous.
Connection to Country: Some sources report that ricin was found in Al Qaeda caves in Afghanistan, but the reports have not been confirmed. There are no confirmed cases of ricin poisoning in Afghanistan.
Sources:
http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/toxicagents/ricin.html
http://www.ehso.com/ricin.php
http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/31/us/ricin-fast-facts
http://www.nationalterroralert.com/ricin/