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New York legal term

Toxin in New York Criminal Law

Current through 2026 New York legislative session

In New York criminal law, “Toxin” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the New York criminal code.

What does “Toxin” mean in New York criminal law?

"Toxin" means the toxic material of plants, animals, micro-organisms, viruses, fungi, or infectious substances, or a recombinant molecule, whatever its origin or method of production, including: (a) any poisonous substance or biological product that may be engineered as a result of biotechnology produced by a living organism; or (b) any poisonous isomer or biological product, homolog, or derivative of such a substance. 7. (N.Y. Penal Law § 490.05)

Statutes defining or using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.