Ricin

Ricin is a toxic substance derived from the seeds of the castor plant Ricinus communis. It is a globular single-chain polypeptide toxin and one of the most deadly natural poisons known to man, as even a very small amount of ricin can be fatal if ingested. Ricin can cause severe gastrointestinal and respiratory distress, resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, heart failure, and death. It can also be used as an agent of biowarfare and bioterrorism. There have been several attempts to weaponize ricin, including a 2002 attack on the Bulgarian government with a ricin-laden letter. Ricin can also be used in biomedicine and gene therapy by targeting specific cells for destruction, allowing for more precise treatments.