On 31 August 2023, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that a gene-edited corn meets the criteria for exemption. Corn yields can be increased through CRISPR/Cas9 technology.After evaluating the applicant's submission, APHIS concluded that the gene-edited corn does not contain an exogenous gene and is unlikely to pose a higher risk of plant pests and diseases compared to its non-regulated counterparts. Therefore, APHIS declared that the gene-edited maize met the criteria for exemption.