After four years of research, scientists at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology (SKUAST-Kashmir) in Srinagar have achieved a landmark feat: producing India’s first gene-edited sheep using CRISPR-Cas9 technology.
They targeted the myostatin gene, a regulator that naturally limits muscle growth. Disrupting this gene resulted in a lamb with around 30% more muscle—a trait seen in European Texel breeds but previously absent in native Indian sheep.
Crucially, no foreign DNA was introduced, distinguishing this lamb from transgenic organisms and potentially easing its passage through India’s evolving biotech regulations.
Game Changer for Indian Agriculture
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai said this breakthrough is a major milestone in animal genetics for India, showing its significance goes well beyond the birth of one lamb.
After birth, the gene-edited lamb matched its peers in weight, but by three months it exceeded them by over 100 g. Importantly, its wool production remained steady at approximately 2–2.5 kg—proving that while meat yield increased, wool quality was not compromised.
This breakthrough builds upon SKUAST’s earlier achievement in cloning India’s first Pashmina goat, “Noori,” in 2012, highlighting the team’s strong expertise in reproductive biotechnology.
What Lies Ahead: India’s First Gene-Edited Sheep
The gene-edited lamb remains under observation, framed as a “proof-of-concept” rather than an immediate commercial product. Researchers emphasize that more data—on growth rates, health, and reproducibility—will be gathered over the coming months.
Backed by funding from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), this initiative builds on India’s rapidly advancing biotech sector—evident in the recent launch of its first genome-edited rice variety.
Ultimately, this aligns with goals to boost farmer incomes, enhance meat production efficiency, and develop livestock breeds suited for India’s varied agro-climatic zones.
For more details, read the articles in the Greater Kashmir and The Indian Express.
For Advertisment & Article Conatct :+91 7321012159