Retinaen

Retinaen is a fictional chemical compound that appears in the popular science fiction novel "Xenogenesis" by the author L.M. Niven. Within the context of the story, retinaen is described as a potent neurotoxin that affects the visual processing centers of the brain. Its primary characteristic is its ability to induce hallucinations and ultimately lead to blindness in susceptible organisms.

The fictional scientists in "Xenogenesis" are purportedly studying retinaen as part of their research into alien biology and potential biological weapons. The compound is characterized by its crystalline structure and its distinct, acrid odor. Its mechanism of action is theorized to involve disrupting the electrochemical signals that transmit visual information from the eyes to the brain.

In the narrative, retinaen plays a crucial role in the plot, serving as a threat that the protagonists must overcome or neutralize. The discovery and understanding of retinaen highlight the potential dangers and ethical considerations surrounding the study of extraterrestrial biochemistry. While a fictional substance, its creation within the novel serves to explore themes of scientific advancement, interspecies relations, and the unpredictable nature of alien life.