One of these has also been produced by Escherichia coli bacteria to which the ricin gene has been transferred. Ricin became of interest as a CW agent at an early stage as it is relatively easy to produce in large quantities. Ricin is now included in Schedule 1 of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Ricin poisoning occurs through blockages of the body's synthesis of proteins. The development is slow and includes decreased blood pressure.
Death frequently occurs through heart failure.
Ricin has approximately the same toxicity as saxitoxin. Different forms of ricin bound to, e.g., monoclonal antibodies are being studied today in order to treat leukaemia and cancer of the liver. During recent years, discussions have started on the risk of bioregulators being used as CW agents. These types of substances do not belong to the group of toxins but are, nonetheless, grouped with them since their possible use is similar. A characteristic of them is that they are active in extremely low doses and frequently have rapid effect.