synthesized by plants that have been genetically modi-
fied. This is unlikely, however, as the FDA regulates
bioengineered foods and requires tests for safety and
the presence of known allergens before the food is
allowed on the market.
Interactions
There are no expected interactions between bio-
engineered foods and any other foods, medicines, or
products.
ComplicationsThere are no complications expected from con-
suming bioengineered foods.
Parental concerns
Some parents might be concerned that allergens
that could affect their child might be introduced into
unexpected plant species. Ninety percent of food aller-
gies in the United States are to milk, eggs, fish, shell-
fish, nuts, wheat, and legumes (including peanuts and
soybeans). The FDA ensures that each bioengineered
food is tested to ensure that none of the common
proteins that cause reactions before these foods can
be sold to consumers. They also test for additional,
less common, proteins that have been known to cause
allergic reactions. It is extremely unlikely that a child
who is allergic to one food would have a spontaneous
reaction to another food product.
Resources
BOOKS
Shannon, Joyce Brennfleck ed.Diet and Nutrition Source-
book. Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics, 2006.
Saterbak, Ann and Ka-Yiu San and Larry V. McIntire.
Bioengineering Fundamentals. New York: Nova Sci-
ence, 2007.
ORGANIZATIONS
United States Department of Agriculture. 1400 Independ-
ence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250. Website:
http://www.usda.gov
United States Food and Drug Administration. 5600 Fishers
Lane, Rockville, MD 20857-0001. Telephone: (888)
463-6332. Website:<http://www.fda.gov>
World Health Organization. Telephone: +41-22-791-2222.
Website:<http://www.who.int/en/>Tish Davidson, M.A.Biotin
Definition
Biotin, also known as vitamin H or vitamin B 7 ,
belongs to the group of B-complex water-solublevita-
mins. Humans make only a small amount of biotin, so
most biotin must come from the foods they eat. Biotin
is involved in conversion ofcarbohydrates,fats, and
proteininto usable energy in the body.Purpose
Biotin joins with enzymes that regulate the break-
down of foods and their use in the body. Some
researchers believe that biotin also plays a role in the
duplication and ‘‘reading’’ (replication and transcrip-
tion) of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA—genetic mate-
rial). Biotin is often promoted as a dietary supplement
to help improve the strength of fingernails and prevent
hair loss. These claims are unproven.Description
Biotin is one of the less familiar B vitamins. It was
discovered in the 1930s by researchers experimenting
with different diets for chickens and rats, and later it
was discovered to be essential to human health. Bac-
teria, yeasts, mold, algae, and some plants make bio-
tin. The human large intestine (colon) contains some
bacteria that synthesize biotin. Researchers believe
that a portion of this biotin is absorbed into the blood-
stream, but they are uncertain how much or how
available it is to the body.
Biotin is essential to life because it combines with
four different enzymes that control different metabolic
reactions related to energy production and building
new molecules from simple nutrients. These are:
Forming glucose from fats and amino acids (but not
from carbohydrates)
Building fatty acids
Synthesizingleucine,anaminoacidnecessaryforhealth
Metabolizing amino acids, cholesterol, and some
fatty acidsKEY TERMS
Gene—A section of DNA that includes information
about how to create certain proteins
Provitamin—a substance that the body can convert
into a vitaminBiotin