GM soybean with a “health-conscious” genetic tweak

Claims

In 2015 the biotech company Calyxt announced that it had used a gene editing technology to create a healthier soybean designed to avoid the creation of unhealthy trans fats during high temperature frying of the oil. Soybean oil is hydrogenated to improve heat stability and shelf life, but this process increases the amount of saturated fatty acids and creates trans fats, which have been linked to health problems.

Calyxt described its soybean as “a non-GM variety… that has high oleic acid and low linoleic acid content, eliminating the need for hydrogenation and the creation of trans fats. This new variety has a fatty acid profile very similar to olive oil, with the added benefit of ~20% decrease in saturated fatty acids compared to standard soybean oil.” ¹

In 2019 the Calyxt soybean was the first gene-edited food to be deregulated for sale in the US.⁶ The commercial launch took place the same year. The oil from the soybean was marketed under the brand name Calyno. In that year, Calyxt was still describing the bean as “non-GMO”.⁷ However, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) consultation document on the soybean clearly shows that it is GMO. The FDA describes the soybean as having been produced using the gene-editing technique TALEN, with the gene editing tool being delivered by a technique called Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.⁸ Gene editing is a form of genetic modification (genetic engineering) under EU and US law (the US rule makes reference to the generally accepted scientific definitions of gene editing and genetic engineering);⁹ and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is a GM technique used to make first generation GM crops¹⁰ as well as gene-edited GM crops.

In a press release announcing the soybean’s commercial launch, Calyxt CEO Jim Blome said, “With this milestone, Calyxt has delivered on its promise and progressed from a research and development platform to a full-scale food ingredient company. We’re proud to be leading the way towards the next generation of healthier foods.” Calyxt said it had partnered with “more than 100 farmers in the Upper Midwest region growing over 34,000 acres” of the soybean. Manoj Sahoo, chief commercial officer at Calyxt, said, “This historical commercialization of the first-ever gene-edited food product is a testament that food manufacturers and consumers are not only embracing innovation, but also willing to pay a premium for products which are healthier and traceable to the source.” ¹¹

Forbes reported the launch enthusiastically under the headline, “The latest gene-edited food is a soybean oil that comes with zero trans fats” and said it was “the latest example of genetically engineered foods designed to appeal to consumers rather than directly to the agriculture industry. Here, the genetic tweak is health-conscious”. However, Forbes correctly pointed out that “Calyxt is touting the oil as non-GMO, a curious choice for a product that is most definitely genetically engineered.” ¹²

Forbes added, “Calyno oil isn’t sold in grocery stores and supermarkets just yet”, but instead was being supplied to the food service industry.¹² More specifically, Associated Press reported Calyxt CEO Blome as saying that a Midwest restaurant was using the oil. Calyxt was quoted as saying, “the customer is using it in dressings and sauces and for frying”, but the company “didn’t specify if the oil’s benefits are being communicated to diners”. The article’s author commented that “the oil’s transition into the food supply signals gene editing’s potential to alter foods without the controversy of conventional GMOs, or genetically modified organisms”.¹³

The investment magazine Seeking Alpha noted that Calyxt’s soybean faced competition from two GMO high oleic acid soybeans – DuPont Pioneer/Corteva’s Plenish and Monsanto/Bayer’s Vistive. However, the Calyxt soybean had the advantage that under US law, its gene-edited status meant it did not have to carry a GMO label.¹⁴ In 2025 Vistive and Plenish were stated as being “commercially available” by US Soy, a website of the United Soybean Board.¹⁵

Results

Just a year after the commercial launch of the Calyxt soybean, in 2020, Seeking Alpha reported, “The company disappointed investors with delayed product launches and slow growth”, contradicting its claims of “a speedy development cycle using novel gene-editing technologies”.

Regarding the soybean, Seeking Alpha said, “The adoption by farmers seems to be hindered by lower crop yields, an issue seen in other genetically engineered soybean seeds.”

The magazine added: “The lack of experience in cultivation was soon evident. CLXT [Calyxt] was paying the farmers more to grow its seeds than it was charging customers for its oil. CLXT paid premiums to farmers to enhance identity controls to allow traceability of the crops, one of its value propositions to customers. After almost two years of unprofitable operations, CLXT decided to abandon its commercialisation efforts of the HOS [high oleic soybean] oil and focus on seed production.”

Seeking Alpha concluded: “The first gene edited crop to be commercialised in the United States has been a flop.” ¹⁴

A very different picture of the Calyxt soybean was painted in the same year – 2020 – by Cameron English, director of biosciences at the American Council on Science and Health ¹⁶ and senior agricultural genetics editor of the GMO-industry-funded¹⁷ website, the Genetic Literacy Project.¹⁸ In a report for the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) titled, “Harvest time: Why the UK should unleash the power of gene editing”, English not only stated that the soybean produced “heart-healthy” oil, but also claimed it had already made a significant contribution to food security during the COVID pandemic. English wrote, “At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Calyxt helped alleviate America’s biggest soy shortage in decades by selling all of the gene-edited grain it produced that year to agricultural merchant Archer Daniels Midland.” ¹⁹ He failed to specify the percentage of the soy shortage that was allegedly alleviated by Calyxt’s 2020 harvest.

In late 2021, the company said in a US Securities and Exchange Commission filing that its management had “concluded there is substantial doubt regarding its ability to continue as a going concern”.²⁰

In September 2022, with poor stock performance and facing the threat of delisting, Calyxt “began looking for a lifeline”, announcing that it was exploring “potential strategic alternatives”, according to a report in the Star Tribune.²¹ In January 2023 the agricultural biotech company Cibus announced that it had merged with Calyxt.²² Calyxt’s website no longer exists ²³ and Cibus’s website does not mention Calyno soybean oil or high oleic acid soybean. There is no evidence the soybean is still being marketed.

Meanwhile non-GMO conventionally bred high oleic acid soybeans have repeatedly been developed. For example, in 2010 researchers at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) announced that they had developed soybeans with over 80% oleic acid.²⁴ And in 2021 the Illinois Soybean Association announced that a new variety of high oleic acid soybean, Soyleic, was to be grown in Illinois.²⁵ As of 2022 the non-GMO Soyleic trait was available in many commercial varieties.²⁶ In 2024 the large seed company Beck’s Hybrids announced that it was offering Soyleic soybeans to farmers in four US states.²⁷

Cibus investigated over allegations of misleading investors

In June 2024 a number of US law firms announced that they were investigating Cibus for potential securities fraud (misleading investors) and that investors who lost money investing in Cibus should get in touch.²⁸ As of June 2025 there are no further updates on these cases.

The law firm Block & Leviton, among others, cited a report by a company called Bonitas Research, which alleged that it “found no evidence that Cibus’ gene-editing technology brings desirable new crops to market”. Bonitas did find “farmer complaints of lower crop yields and lost revenues, along with multiple examples of large seed manufacturers and distributors walking away from joint ventures and partnerships with Cibus for a variety of seed types and seed traits”.²⁹ Block & Leviton, among other law firms, said they were “investigating these allegations”.³⁰

In 2025 Cibus raised significant new concerns about the effectiveness of its gene-editing technology.³¹

Companies

Calyxt developed the gene-edited soybean and merged with Cibus in 2023 (see above).

Patents

Calyxt filed a patent application for a high oleic acid soybean oil in 2020. As of June 2025 its status was still pending.³²

Original research: Jonathan Matthews, Claire Robinson. Subsequent research and writing: Claire Robinson, Pat Thomas/Beyond GM. Reviewer: Jonathan Matthews. Scientific reviewer: Dr Michael Hansen.

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1. Calyxt (2015). Reduced trans fat soybean oil. https://web.archive.org/web/20150507190055/http://www.calyxt.com/products/reduced-trans-fat-soybean-oil/ Archived by Wayback Machine, version of 7 May.[↩][↩]
2. Bashar Issa (2020). Calyxt to exit farming operations and focus on seed science. Seeking Alpha, 10 Dec. https://seekingalpha.com/article/4394048-calyxt-to-exit-farming-operations-and-focus-on-seed-science[↩]
3. Cibus (2023). Calyxt and Cibus announce definitive merger agreement to create industry-leading precision gene editing and trait licensing company. https://www.cibus.com/press-release.php?date=011723[↩]
4. GlobeNewswire.com (2024). Shareholder alert: Cibus, Inc. Investigated for securities fraud; Block & Leviton encourages investors who have lost money to contact the firm. GlobeNewswire.com, 10 Jun. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/06/10/2896188/0/en/SHAREHOLDER-ALERT-Cibus-Inc-Investigated-for-Securities-Fraud-Block-Leviton-Encourages-Investors-Who-Have-Lost-Money-to-Contact-the-Firm.html/ ; Johnson Fistel, LLP (2024). Breaking news: Johnson Fistel, LLP investigates Cibus following short report. https://www.johnsonfistel.com/investigations/cibus-inc ; BusinessWire (2024). Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP, a leading securities fraud law firm, announces investigation of Cibus, Inc. (CBUS) on behalf of investors. 5 Jun. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240605581184/en/Glancy-Prongay-Murray-LLP-a-Leading-Securities-Fraud-Law-Firm-Announces-Investigation-of-Cibus-Inc.-CBUS-on-Behalf-of-Investors; https://bitperfect.pe/en/investigation-launched-into-cibus-inc-amid-allegations-of-misleading-gene-editing-claims/; GlobeNewswire (2024). Investigation into Cibus, Inc. (CBUS) announced by Holzer & Holzer, LLC. 5 Jun. https://www.einpresswire.com/article/717539600/investigation-into-cibus-inc-cbus-announced-by-holzer-holzer-llc[↩]
5. Patent no. WO2021138403A1 High oleic acid soybean oil. https://www.lens.org/lens/patent/110-579-111-926-169/fulltext?l=en[↩]
6. Reuters (2023). China approves safety of first gene-edited crop. 4 May. https://www.reuters.com/science/china-approves-safety-first-gene-edited-crop-2023-05-04/[↩]
7. Calyxt (2019). Calyno™ High Oleic Soybean Oil.  https://web.archive.org/web/20191104174908/https://calyxt.com/products/high-oleic-soybean-oil/ Archived by Wayback Machine, version of 4 Nov.[↩]
8. US FDA (2019). Biotechnology Notification File No. 000164. CFSAN Note to the File. 22 Feb. https://www.fda.gov/media/120708/download[↩]
9. For US law, see USDA APHIS (2020). 7 CFR Parts 330, 340, and 372 [Docket No. APHIS–2018–0034] RIN 0579–AE47. Movement of Certain Genetically Engineered Organisms. Final rule. 18 May. Federal Register Vol 85, No 96 / Monday, May 18, 2020. Rules and Regulations. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/brs_2020518.pdf  This rule refers to the scientifically accepted definition of genetic engineering and says it would include gene editing: “APHIS has not, in this rulemaking or prior rulemakings involving part 340, taken the position that genome editing does not constitute genetic engineering. Taking such a position would be inconsistent with the generally accepted scientific characterization of genome editing technology.” For EU law, see the European Court of Justice ruling confirming that “new mutagenesis techniques”, which include gene editing, produce GMOs: https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2018-07/cp180111en.pdf [↩]
10. The Royal Society (2023). What is genetic modification (GM) of crops and how is it done? https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/gm-plants/what-is-gm-and-how-is-it-done/ [↩]
11. Calyxt (2019). First commercial sale of Calyxt high oleic soybean oil on the US market. 26 Feb. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1705843/000115752319000454/a51946820ex99_1.htm[↩]
12. Splitter J (2019). The latest gene-edited food is a soybean oil that comes with zero trans fats. Forbes, 5 Mar. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jennysplitter/2019/03/05/trans-fat-free-gene-edited-soybean-oil/[↩][↩]
13. Choi C (2019). Gene-edited food quietly arrives in restaurant cooking oil. AP, 12 Mar. Archived by the Wayback Machine, version of 17 Mar 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190317002739/https://www.apnews.com/17f0f799580a483fbd1b2d69bcf2ba18[↩]
14. Issa B (2020). Calyxt to exit farming operations and focus on seed science. Seeking Alpha, 10 Dec. https://seekingalpha.com/article/4394048-calyxt-to-exit-farming-operations-and-focus-on-seed-science[↩][↩]
15. US Soy (2025). High oleic soybean oil. https://food.ussoy.org/soybean-innovations[↩]
16. Cameron English’s X site (2024). https://twitter.com/camjenglish  Accessed 27 Jun 2024.[↩]
17. US Right to Know (2022). Genetic Literacy Project: PR front for Monsanto, Bayer and the chemical industry. 14 Jul. https://usrtk.org/industry-pr/jon-entine-genetic-literacy-project/[↩]
18. Genetic Literacy Project (2024). Cameron English & Kevin Folta. https://geneticliteracyproject.org/biotech-facts-fallacies-cameron-english/  Accessed 27 Jun 2024.[↩]
19. English C (2022). Harvest Time: Why the UK should unleash the power of gene editing. IEA Discussion Paper No. 117. IEA. https://iea.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/DP117_Harvest-Time.pdf[↩]
20. Cellectis S.A. (2021). United States Securities and Exchange Commission filing. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1627281/000119312522064482/d210703d20f.htm[↩]
21. Burl Gilyard (2023). Facing delisting, Roseville-based Calyxt to merge with California agtech firm. Star Tribune, 17 Jan. https://www.startribune.com/facing-delisting-roseville-based-calyxt-to-merge-with-california-agtech-firm/600244159/[↩]
22. Cibus (2023). Calyxt and Cibus announce definitive merger agreement to create industry-leading precision gene editing and trait licensing company. https://www.cibus.com/press-release.php?date=011723 [↩]
23. http://calyxt.com/ [↩]
24. Suszkiw J (2010). New soybeans bred for oil that’s more heart-healthy. USDA ARS, 16 Sept. https://www.ars.usda.gov/news-events/news/research-news/2010/new-soybeans-bred-for-oil-thats-more-heart-healthy/[↩]
25. Illinois Soybean Association (2021). Soyleic. The Organic & Non-GMO Report, 6 Aug. https://non-gmoreport.com/new-high-oleic-soybean-trait-is-a-functional-sustainable-and-non-gmo-way-to-provide-healthier-oil/ [↩]
26. Soyleic (2022). Soyleic non-GMO high oleic soybeans. https://7zga59.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Soyleic-Fact-Sheet_PROD1_082522_LR.pdf [↩]
27. Ward M (2024). Beck’s Hybrids flexes high-oleic soybean muscle. Farm Progress, 28 Feb. https://www.farmprogress.com/soybean/beck-s-hybrids-flexes-high-oleic-soybean-muscle[↩]
28. GlobeNewswire.com (2024). Shareholder alert: Cibus, Inc. Investigated for securities fraud; Block & Leviton encourages investors who have lost money to contact the firm. GlobeNewswire.com, 10 Jun. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/06/10/2896188/0/en/SHAREHOLDER-ALERT-Cibus-Inc-Investigated-for-Securities-Fraud-Block-Leviton-Encourages-Investors-Who-Have-Lost-Money-to-Contact-the-Firm.html/ ; Johnson Fistel, LLP (2024). Breaking news: Johnson Fistel, LLP investigates Cibus following short report. https://www.johnsonfistel.com/investigations/cibus-inc ; BusinessWire (2024). Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP, a leading securities fraud law firm, announces investigation of Cibus, Inc. (CBUS) on behalf of investors. 5 Jun. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240605581184/en/Glancy-Prongay-Murray-LLP-a-Leading-Securities-Fraud-Law-Firm-Announces-Investigation-of-Cibus-Inc.-CBUS-on-Behalf-of-Investors; https://bitperfect.pe/en/investigation-launched-into-cibus-inc-amid-allegations-of-misleading-gene-editing-claims/; GlobeNewswire (2024). Investigation into Cibus, Inc. (CBUS) announced by Holzer & Holzer, LLC. 5 Jun. https://www.einpresswire.com/article/717539600/investigation-into-cibus-inc-cbus-announced-by-holzer-holzer-llc [↩]
29. Bonitas Research (2024). Cibus Inc. https://www.bonitasresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2024/06/BonitasResearch-Short-Cibus-Nasdaq-CBUS-June-4-2024.pdf Note that on p1 of this report, Bonitas incorrectly describes Dr John Fagan as a “senior author for GMWatch”, when in fact Dr Fagan was only quoted by GMWatch and is not linked with GMWatch.[↩]
30. Block & Leviton LLP (2024). Shareholder alert: Cibus, Inc. Investigated for securities fraud; Block & Leviton encourages investors who have lost money to contact the firm. GlobeNewswire.com, 10 Jun. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/06/10/2896188/0/en/SHAREHOLDER-ALERT-Cibus-Inc-Investigated-for-Securities-Fraud-Block-Leviton-Encourages-Investors-Who-Have-Lost-Money-to-Contact-the-Firm.html/[↩]
31. StockTitan (2025). Cibus announces important update to rice gene editing conversion rates. 14 Feb. https://www.stocktitan.net/news/CBUS/cibus-announces-important-update-to-rice-gene-editing-conversion-obbiikbtf52g.html[↩]
32. Patent no. WO2021138403A1 High oleic acid soybean oil. https://www.lens.org/lens/patent/110-579-111-926-169/fulltext?l=en [↩]