What is a key characteristic of poisons such as strychnine and sarin in terms of their origin?

Both strychnine and sarin are indeed man-made toxins. Strychnine is derived from the seeds of the Strychnos nux-vomica tree, but its use as a poison is largely associated with human manipulation and application, particularly for pest control or as a drug. On the other hand, sarin is a synthetic nerve agent developed for chemical warfare. Its creation involves specific chemical processes that do not occur in nature, which classifies it as a man-made toxin.

This understanding highlights a significant differentiation between poisons with a purely natural origin and those that are entirely engineered in a laboratory setting. For example, poisons that originate from certain plants might have a different context and application compared to those designed for mass harm or control, such as sarin. The clarification of these origins plays a crucial role in the study of toxicology and the effects these substances have on living organisms.