PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Ricin
by Wesley Conroy Monday, Apr. 24, 2006 at 9:33 PM
wesleyconroy@yahoo.com

Research on the toxic agent, "ricin" and it's role in biological warfare. Inspired while on a recent road trip, passing by a military chemical testing/research facility.

On a recent road trip I saw a very large and plain building, distant to any roads that passed by. The entrances to the premises are gated off with long winding driveways, apparently for authorized personnel only. The facility itself appeared to be fairly new and well maintained, as well as heavily guarded. By any means necessary, security - several men in dark uniforms bearing arms - are to stop intruders on sight. Failure to comply would result in immediate arrest, that much I’m sure. Later, I discovered from a few locals that the site is used for military interests, specifically to investigate the toxic agent, “ricin.”



Castor beans are processed to make castor oil. The waste yields ricin, which is indeed very lethal to humans even in small doses, and can also be considered more deadly than the bite of a cobra snake. Ricin is poisonous if inhaled, ingested or injected. Even though it is reported that both botulinum and anthrax are comparatively stronger agents than ricin, the reason ricin is lethal within itself is because there is no antidote, only medical care to help, if at all, minimize the poisonous effect. Though, due to recent developments in the world of health, it is believed that ricin may have medicinal purposes in the treatment of cancer and in bone marrow transplants.



However, the United States began investigating ricin strictly for its military purposes during the first world war. During the second world war, they began investigating ricin and it’s use in cluster bombs. The Soviet KGB used ricin in assassination attempts during the Cold War, many of which were successful. It is also believed that Islamic militant groups in Iraq are producing ricin, which is not hard to do at all.



Of course there are other more potent toxic agents used in biological warfare, though in the case of war they’re all used for the same purpose. Today, biochemical advancements for weaponry and military arsenals are still expanding in the United States and abroad. It needs to be understood that this is a great detriment to humanity.