India’s First Gene-Edited Sheep

India’s First Gene-Edited Sheep: Recently, scientists at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Srinagar, developed India’s first gene-edited sheep, marking a significant milestone in livestock genetics and biotechnology.

• Key Highlights: The research team, edited the myostatin gene, which regulates muscle growth in sheep.

o The modification resulted in a 30% increase in muscle mass; a trait typically absent in Indian sheep but found in high-yield European breeds like Texel.

o The editing was done using CRISPR-Cas9, a Nobel Prize-winning gene-editing technique that allows precise, foreign-DNA-free modifications.

o This is not a transgenic animal—no foreign DNA was introduced, increasing the likelihood of regulatory approval under India’s evolving biotech guidelines.

• Significance & Potential Applications: Gene editing can be extended to introduce resistance to common livestock diseases.

o Genetic modifications could improve twinning rates in sheep, enhancing productivity.

o Since the animal does not carry foreign genes, it is likely to be more acceptable from both biosafety and consumer standpoints.

o Offers an alternative to traditional crossbreeding, with faster and targeted results.

• CRISPR–Cas9 is a revolutionary technology that allows geneticists and medical researchers to precisely edit the genome by removing, adding, or altering specific DNA segments. It is currently the most straightforward, versatile, and accurate tool for genetic modification, generating significant interest in the scientific community.