Preface

This book focuses on the wide range of subjects needed to beat the biological threat of ricin, beginning with background information (Chapter 1) followed by toxin detection (Chapters 2, 3). “If you know your enemies, you will not be imperiled” (Sun Zi, 544-496 BC). This then leads to reducing the threat by creating cultivars that have greatly reduced amounts of toxin (Chapter 4) or generic antibody therapies that neutralize the toxin regardless of its cultivar source (Chapter 5). This in turn leads into not one but several breakthroughs in medical countermeasures against the toxin, be it vaccines (Chapter 6), antibodies (Chapters 7-9) or repurposing abandoned drugs to find an antidote (Chapter 10). The book ends on a positive note, developing antisera against the toxin without using the toxin but instead using a harmless genetically engineered toxoid (Chapter 11). It finishes with ricin’s past benefits as an anti-cancer drug (Chapter 12) so as not to lose sight of opportunities to “beat swords into ploughshares”.

All of the authors were selected for their expertise and fresh approaches to defeating the threat of ricin. This book is not intended to be a comprehensive textbook on the subject of ricin. Indeed, some topics may have to be addressed in another volume (e.g. regulations, emergency responses, forensics, histology and immunity). Regardless, the selected contributions show how innovative “out of the box” scientific-based thinking can shift the bio-threat advantage away from those who wish to intentionally cause harm. Novel methods and discoveries have advanced rapid toxin detection and identification, protection of first responders and military forces by vaccines, rescuing casualties by neutralizing antibodies or repurposed drugs, and possibly frustrating the terrorist should they prepare a useless extract from cultivars that no longer express the toxin. We do not have these measures in place yet, but the book does show how investments in research have paid off towards achieving these goals. With additional support for development and regulatory approvals of these discoveries, the ricin threat can be mitigated.

This book took longer to compile than anticipated. It would not have been possible to complete without the authors, and especially the staff at Bentham Science Publishers, giving their continuous support. Their patience, enthusiasm and encouragement were a greatly appreciated source of strength during its extended preparation. Perhaps of greater importance, than the book and its many contributions, were the remarkable people that formed a unique collaborative team to make it happen.