First discovered as a genome-editing tool just seven years ago, CRISPR systems have already changed the face of basic research, allowing researchers to alter the DNA of hundreds of organisms for research purposes. As the technology advances, real-world applications are on the horizon– the first clinical trials to treat genetic diseases with CRISPR have begun this year, and the first genome-edited crop is scheduled for commercial release in 2020. With such rapid advancement, how do the products of CRISPR technology fit into the current regulatory system? This talk will give an overview of US biotechnology policy and regulation with a focus on biotech plants. It will compare approaches to regulating GMOs, and ask, how can this history and social context help us think about what is needed for this new generation of genome-edited organisms?