Srinagar, May 26: In a groundbreaking scientific achievement, the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-Kashmir) has successfully produced India’s first gene-edited sheep, marking a historic milestone in the field of animal biotechnology. This path-breaking development places India on the global map of advanced genome editing technologies and positions SKUAST-Kashmir at the forefront of reproductive biotechnology research.
The gene-edited lamb has been modified for the myostatin gene, a regulator of muscle growth. By disrupting this gene, muscle mass in the animal is enhanced by nearly 30%, a trait naturally absent in Indian sheep breeds but known in select European breeds like the Texel. The introduction of this mutation through gene editing – and not through traditional crossbreeding – represents a technological leap akin to the revolution Artificial Intelligence is driving in the 21st century.
This achievement comes on the heels of the recent release of India’s first gene-edited rice variety, endorsed by the Union Minister for Agriculture, and further cements India’s growing prowess in genomic science.
“This is not just the birth of a lamb, but the birth of a new era in livestock genetics in India,” said Dr. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-Kashmir. “With gene editing, we have the ability to bring precise, beneficial changes without introducing foreign DNA – making the process efficient, safe, and potentially acceptable to both regulators and consumers.”Vice Chancellor commended the researchers Dr Riyaz A Shah and his team and highlighted the university’s commitment to excellence in research and innovation at both national and global levels. He reiterated, “Biotechnology, in association with Artificial Intelligence and other next gen technologies, is emerging as a key driver towards achieving a sustainable bioeconomy for a developed India. Leading institutions like SKUAST Kashmir can play a pivotal role in ensuring livelihood, food security, and sustainability for future generations.”
This success is part of SKUAST-Kashmir’s broader vision to build India’s most advanced reproductive biotechnology facility, combining cutting-edge research with real-world applications for agriculture and animal husbandry. It also reflects the university’s unwavering commitment to innovation, scientific excellence, and nation-building through biotechnology. This achievement builds upon Prof. Riaz Shah’s pioneering legacy in cutting edge biotechnology, as his team had previously cloned India’s first Pashmina goat clone, “Noori,” in 2012—a historic milestone that garnered global acclaim.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai briefed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Ji about this breakthrough research, who commended the team’s efforts and their contribution to advancing scientific frontiers in the region.
CRISPR technology has emerged as a versatile tool with broad applications in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology, particularly in addressing health issues such as cancers, HIV, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, and muscular dystrophy. Though the current study was undertaken purely for research purposes only, SKUAST Kashmir is leading the way in implementing the latest biotechnologies to tackle challenges in the livestock sector, including reproductive cloning, gene editing, vaccine development, stem cell applications, and transgenic research.
The gene editing was performed using CRISPR-Cas9 technology and adhered to international biosafety protocols. Importantly, the edited sheep contains no foreign DNA, distinguishing it from transgenic organisms and paving the way for regulatory approval under India’s evolving biotech policy framework.
As the world watches, SKUAST-Kashmir’s pioneering work serves as a beacon of what Indian science can achieve. This first gene-edited sheep is not just a scientific milestone — it is a symbol of promise, progress, and possibility for the future of sustainable livestock farming in India.
