India just hit a biotech milestone — with its first gene-edited sheep born in Kashmir. This breakthrough isn’t just about one animal; it’s a giant leap toward revolutionizing livestock farming in the country.
Using cutting-edge gene-editing technology, scientists at Sher-e-Kashmir University have opened the door to faster, safer, and smarter farming — and India is now firmly in the game of next-gen agriculture.
What is gene-editing?
Gene-editing is a breakthrough technology that allows scientists to make precise changes to an animal’s DNA without adding any foreign genes. The most common tool is CRISPR-Cas9, which acts like tiny molecular scissors to cut and modify DNA safely and accurately. Unlike traditional genetic modification, gene-editing doesn’t insert external material, making it cleaner and potentially more acceptable.
How was the Gene-edited sheep created?
At Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), researchers focused on a gene that controls muscle growth in sheep. The gene-edited sheep born in Kashmir weighs nearly 30% more than a regular sheep. This means farmers could get more meat from fewer animals, boosting productivity and income.
Why Kashmir?
Kashmir’s cold climate, natural grazing lands, and advanced labs made it an ideal place to develop this technology. The region’s unique environment helped researchers test and refine their work effectively.
Dr Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST, described this as “not just the birth of a lamb, but the birth of a new era in livestock genetics.” He highlighted that gene-editing is efficient, safe, and may be more acceptable to regulators and consumers than older genetic techniques.
What’s next?
This breakthrough marks a major step toward modernizing India’s farming sector. While gene-editing holds huge promise, clear regulations and greater public understanding will be key for wider adoption. Still, India’s gene-edited sheep shows the country’s readiness to lead in agricultural innovation and push toward self-reliance.
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