A group of researchers at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-Kashmir) has successfully created India’s first gene-edited sheep using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. This achievement marks a significant breakthrough in animal biotechnology and places India among a select group of nations with advanced genome editing capabilities.
The lamb, produced after years of research at the university's Centre for Animal Biotechnology, has been edited for the myostatin gene, a gene that regulates muscle growth. By disrupting this gene, scientists were able to increase the animal’s muscle mass by nearly 30%. This trait, naturally found in European breeds like the Texel, is not present in Indian sheep.
"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.”
The development comes shortly after the release of India’s first gene-edited rice variety, which was endorsed by the Union Agriculture Minister. Together, these milestones signal India’s growing strength in genomic research and biotechnology.
The research team, led by Dr. Riyaz A Shah, used the CRISPR-Cas9 technique in a controlled lab setting following international biosafety norms. Unlike genetically modified organisms (GMOs), gene-edited animals do not carry foreign DNA, which may make them more acceptable under India’s evolving biotech regulations.
Dr. Ganai commended the researchers and reiterated the university’s long-term vision. “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.”
He added that the university aims to build India’s most advanced reproductive biotechnology centre, combining cutting-edge research with practical applications in agriculture and livestock development. SKUAST’s biotech achievements go back more than a decade, when the same team successfully cloned India’s first Pashmina goat, "Noori", in 2012.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha was also briefed about the breakthrough. He praised the research team’s contribution to scientific innovation and the potential impact of their work on the region's development.
While the gene-edited sheep was created for research purposes, scientists believe the technique can eventually help address several challenges in livestock management, from improving meat yield and disease resistance to enabling climate-resilient breeds. SKUAST is also exploring other frontier areas like vaccine development, stem cell therapy, reproductive cloning, and transgenic research.
CRISPR technology, originally developed for use in human medicine, is now widely used in agriculture and biotechnology, including in efforts to treat cancer, HIV, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, and muscular dystrophy.
Importantly, the edited sheep carries no foreign DNA, distinguishing it from genetically modified organisms and making it more favorable under India’s emerging biotech regulatory landscape. The research complied with global biosafety protocols, ensuring ethical and safe scientific practices.
