India’s First Gene-Edited Sheep
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: IE
Context: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-Kashmir) has successfully produced India’s first gene-edited sheep, enhancing muscle mass by 30%.
About India’s First Gene-Edited Sheep:
• What It Is? A genetically modified lamb with enhanced muscle mass, developed by editing the myostatin gene, which regulates muscle growth in sheep.
• A genetically modified lamb with enhanced muscle mass, developed by editing the myostatin gene, which regulates muscle growth in sheep.
• Developed By: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-Kashmir)
• Technology Used:
• CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing – a Nobel Prize-winning precision genome editing technique. Conducted under international biosafety protocols, ensuring no foreign DNA was inserted.
• CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing – a Nobel Prize-winning precision genome editing technique.
• Conducted under international biosafety protocols, ensuring no foreign DNA was inserted.
• Key Features:
• Muscle Enhancement: 30% higher muscle mass than Indian breeds — a trait found in European breeds like Texel. Non-Transgenic: Does not involve foreign DNA insertion, different from GMOs, increasing chances of regulatory acceptance. Multipurpose Use: Can be extended for disease resistance, improved reproduction, and even animal twinning. Efficient Research Output: Result of 4 years of dedicated research, supported by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
• Muscle Enhancement: 30% higher muscle mass than Indian breeds — a trait found in European breeds like Texel.
• Non-Transgenic: Does not involve foreign DNA insertion, different from GMOs, increasing chances of regulatory acceptance.
• Multipurpose Use: Can be extended for disease resistance, improved reproduction, and even animal twinning.
• Efficient Research Output: Result of 4 years of dedicated research, supported by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
• Significance of the Achievement:
• Boost to India’s Livestock Sector: Offers a blueprint for improving meat yield and quality in Indian sheep breeds. Global Recognition: Positions India on the global map of advanced genome editing research. Biotech Policy Alignment: Supports India’s evolving regulatory framework for gene-edited organisms, which is distinct from GMO laws. Sustainability & Food Security: Enhances productivity per animal, reducing resource use and supporting sustainable livestock farming. Foundation for Future Innovation: Builds on SKUAST’s earlier success of cloning Noori, the world’s first cloned Pashmina goat (2012).
• Boost to India’s Livestock Sector: Offers a blueprint for improving meat yield and quality in Indian sheep breeds.
• Global Recognition: Positions India on the global map of advanced genome editing research.
• Biotech Policy Alignment: Supports India’s evolving regulatory framework for gene-edited organisms, which is distinct from GMO laws.
• Sustainability & Food Security: Enhances productivity per animal, reducing resource use and supporting sustainable livestock farming.
• Foundation for Future Innovation: Builds on SKUAST’s earlier success of cloning Noori, the world’s first cloned Pashmina goat (2012).