Rapid Fire
Ricin in Bioterrorism
- 13 Feb 2026
- 2 min read
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the probe into the country’s first alleged 'bioterrorism' plot from the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
- The case centers on a Hyderabad-based doctor accused of attempting to weaponize 'Ricin', a lethal toxin extracted from castor beans, marking a concerning shift towards the use of dual-use biological agents for terror activities termed as bioterrorism.
- Ricin: It is an extremely potent, naturally occurring type II ribosome-inactivating protein (lectin) derived from castor beans (Ricinus communis).
- Extraction: Acetone, an industrial solvent, can be used to extract and refine ricin from the residual mash left after castor oil production.
- Threat Level: Ricin blocks protein synthesis within cells, leading to severe cellular damage and death, and is extremely toxic even in minute doses through inhalation, ingestion, or injection, with no known antidote available.
- Security Status: Classified as a Schedule 1 substance under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) due to its high potential for misuse as a biological weapon.
- Operational History: While used in targeted assassinations, Ricin has never been successfully used in mass-casualty events.
- Constraints: Large-scale weaponization remains difficult due to technical challenges in mass production and effective aerosol dissemination.
| Read more: Ricin Poisoning |
