Toxin

Concept of Toxin

In relation to securing dangerous material (in case of crisis or terrorism) a meaning of toxin may be outlined, in general regarding European law, as follows: A complex and poisonous organic substance, especially a protein, that is produced naturally by living cells or organisms such as a microbe, animal or plant or synthetically. A Toxin is capable of causing disease when introduced into the body tissues but is often also capable of inducing neutralizing antibodies or antitoxins[1]

Resources

Notes and References

1. Definition of toxin published by the European Commission

Botulinum Toxin in the National Security Context

A definition and brief description of Botulinum Toxin in relation to national security is as follows:Botulinum toxin is among the most poisonous substances known. The toxin, which can be ingested or inhaled, and which disrupts transmission of nerve impulses to muscles, is naturally produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Certain strains of C. baratii and C. butyricum can also be capable of producing the toxin.