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India’s First Gene-Edited Sheep
Context: A groundbreaking scientific achievement has been made by researchers at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Srinagar, with the creation of India’s first gene-edited sheep.
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- After four years of intensive research, the SKUAST team successfully enhanced the muscle mass of sheep by 30%, marking a significant milestone in Indian livestock genetics.
- The project was sponsored by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and followed strict international biosafety protocols.
Gene-Editing Breakthrough with CRISPR-Cas9
- The team of five scientists utilised advanced CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology to modify the myostatin gene in sheep.
- The myostatin gene naturally regulates muscle growth, and its disruption resulted in a notable 30% increase in muscle mass—a trait typically found in European breeds like the Texel but absent in Indian sheep.
- This precise gene-editing technique allows for improvements without traditional crossbreeding or the introduction of foreign DNA.
Potential Applications of Gene Editing in Livestock
- Researchers emphasised the wide-ranging benefits of gene editing in animal husbandry, including the potential to create disease-resistant livestock and increase the occurrence of twinning during births.
Significance for India’s Agricultural Biotechnology Sector
- This innovation follows the recent release of India’s first gene-edited rice variety, further showcasing the country’s growing capabilities in biotechnology.
- Dr. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-Kashmir, called the development “the birth of a new era in livestock genetics,” highlighting the precision and safety of gene editing compared to traditional genetic modification methods.
- Since the edited sheep does not contain foreign DNA, it is distinct from transgenic organisms and aligns well with India’s evolving biotech regulatory framework.
India’s first gene-edited sheep represents a major leap forward in agricultural science, promising enhanced productivity, disease resistance, and sustainability for Indian farmers. As gene-editing technologies like CRISPR continue to advance, they offer transformative potential for the future of livestock breeding and agriculture in India.
