Veria - Claim Fact Check

Claim: Consumers will not know they are buying modified soybeans from Terrana Biosciences' technology

60%

Analysis of the Claim

Claim: Consumers will not know they are buying modified soybeans from Terrana Biosciences' technology

Key Findings:

Terrana's technology is RNA-based crop protection, not traditional genetic modification. Terrana Biosciences develops RNA sprays and seed treatments that "program" plants with biological instructions to fight pathogens or stimulate immune responses¹². The company explicitly distinguishes its RNA platform from "conventional transgenic (genetically modified)" approaches².
RNA sprays do not necessarily modify plant DNA permanently. The technology delivers RNA molecules into plant cells that may be translated into proteins (like Cry proteins) or trigger immune responses, but this differs from bioengineering that modifies the plant's genetic material through rDNA techniques²¹.
USDA's Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard requires detectable modified genetic material. The standard defines bioengineered food as containing "genetic material that has been modified through in vitro rDNA techniques"³. RNA sprays are designed to degrade rapidly and may not leave detectable modified genetic material in the final food product⁴⁵.
RNA-treated crops may avoid bioengineered labeling. Because RNA interference (RNAi) sprays don't involve modifying the plant's DNA through rDNA techniques, and the RNA is designed to degrade, treated crops may not meet the threshold for mandatory "bioengineered" disclosure under current USDA regulations⁴⁶. RNAi crop sprays have even been described as appealing to markets where genetically modified crops are restricted⁶.
Products remain in development. As of mid-2025, Terrana's soybean products were still in the pipeline and not yet commercially available²⁷. Regulatory requirements for these specific products remain to be finalized.
RNA pesticides are regulated under FIFRA, not as bioengineered foods. Similar RNAi crop protection products (like GreenLight Biosciences' Calantha) are regulated by EPA as pesticides under FIFRA, which does not require consumer food labeling to disclose pesticide treatments beyond residue tolerances⁸⁹.

Conclusion:

The claim has merit. Under current U.S. regulations, Terrana's RNA spray technology—applied to soybeans as a topical treatment or seed treatment—likely would not trigger mandatory bioengineered food disclosure requirements because it doesn't involve rDNA modification of the plant's genetic material and the RNA is designed to degrade without leaving detectable modified genetic material in food. This means consumers may not have clear labeling indicating the soybeans were treated with this technology. However, since Terrana's soybean products are not yet commercially available, some regulatory uncertainty remains.

Overall validity: 60%