India’s First Gene-Edited Sheep: A Leap in Agricultural Biotechnology Kashmir UPSC
UPSC Prelims
Current affairs
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Gajendra Singh Godara
Jun 16, 2025
5
mins read
India recently achieved a major milestone in gene-editing with the development of its first gene-edited sheep in Kashmir. This feat, led by SKUAST‑Kashmir, uses CRISPR-Cas9 to knock out the myostatin gene, resulting in significantly enhanced muscle mass. The Kashmir Merino sheep now showcase around 30 % more muscle-an outcome of precise gene-editing and mark a breakthrough in livestock biotechnology.
What is Gene‑Editing?
Gene‑editing refers to targeted alterations in an organism’s DNA-without foreign genes. CRISPR‑Cas9 acts as molecular scissors in gene‑editing, enabling modifications like disabling the myostatin gene. In this Kashmir sheep, gene‑editing with CRISPR‑Cas9 boosted muscle growth while preserving wool quality. This method is distinct from GMO tactics, as it only alters native genes-facilitating easier regulation and public acceptance compared to transgenic GMO approaches.
What is CRISPR-Cas9?
CRISPR (pronounced “crisper”) stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats. Cas9 is an enzyme that works like molecular scissors. CRISPR was originally discovered as part of bacterial immune systems (bacteria use it to remember and chop up viruses). In 2012, scientists figured out how to repurpose this system to edit genes in any organism. The beauty of CRISPR-Cas9 is its programmability: researchers design a short RNA molecule called a guide RNA (gRNA) that matches the DNA sequence of the gene they want to edit . This gRNA leads Cas9 to the target gene sequence in the genome (think of a sniffer dog finding a specific scent). Once Cas9 is in position, it cuts both strands of the DNA at that spot .
Understanding Key Concepts for UPSC Exam:
Term | Explanation |
CRISPR‑Cas9 | The primary gene‑editing tool used in the Kashmir project |
Myostatin gene | The target of gene‑editing to increase muscle in sheep |
Kashmir Merino | Sheep breed enhanced in Kashmir. It is a sheep breed developed in Kashmir Valley, India, known for its fine, high-quality wool and good meat production. |
Gene‑edited | Indicates non-GMO gene‑editing using CRISPR‑Cas9 |
Transgenic (GMO) | Involves foreign genes, unlike gene‑editing |
Development of the Kashmir Merino Breed
The Kashmir Merino sheep was developed around 1960 at the Government Sheep Breeding and Research Farm, Reasi (Jammu).
It was the result of a cross-breeding program aimed at improving wool quality and adaptability.
Native breeds such as Poonchi, Gaddi, and Bakerwal were selectively bred with exotic breeds like Australian Merino and Delaine rams.
The goal was to combine the resilience of local breeds with the superior wool traits of imported varieties, producing a high-quality dual-purpose sheep.
Adaptability: It is well-adapted to the harsh climatic conditions and diseases of the Kashmir Valley.
Timeline of Major Biotech Milestones
1996: Dolly, first cloned sheep
2012: CRISPR‑Cas9 introduced
2021: China’s gene‑edited sheep
2025: India’s first gene‑edited rice and sheep in Kashmir using CRISPR‑Cas9 gene‑editing
Challenges and Breakthroughs
The project began in 2020, marking the start of a four-year research journey.
The team faced three failed attempts before achieving successful gene-editing.
A gene-edited embryo was developed in the laboratory using CRISPR-Cas9 technology.
The embryo was implanted in a surrogate mother sheep under controlled conditions.
The gene-edited lamb was born in December 2024, weighing 3.15 kg at birth.
The entire process demonstrated both scientific persistence and technical precision in livestock biotechnology.
How Gene‑Editing Differs from Traditional Techniques
The fast, precise, non-GMO nature of gene‑editing via CRISPR‑Cas9 contrasts sharply with traditional breeding and transgenics. The Kashmir sheep project exemplifies how gene‑editing in livestock can accelerate improvements compared to generational or GMO-based methods.
India’s Position in the Global Landscape
Nations like China and the U.S. are active in gene‑editing livestock:
China: Gene‑edited sheep and pigs
United States: CRISPR‑Cas9 used in cattle and pigs
India: The first gene‑edited sheep in Kashmir, leveraging CRISPR‑Cas9, enters this transformative space
Potential Benefits for Indian Agriculture and Livestock
Enhanced Meat Production: Gene editing could increase muscle mass in sheep, boosting mutton yield. This can improve food security and farmer incomes without increasing flock size, optimizing grazing pressure.
Improved Wool and Dairy Traits: Gene-editing could enhance wool quality and milk yield in Indian breeds. It offers a precise alternative to traditional breeding methods, improving wool production and milk quality (e.g., A2 milk).
Disease Resistance: Gene-editing can make livestock resistant to diseases like FMD, PPR, and tuberculosis, reducing losses and reliance on antibiotics. This aligns with the "One Health" approach.
Climate Resilience: Gene-edited livestock can thrive in India’s diverse climates—heat-tolerant cattle and drought-resistant breeds could improve productivity in adverse conditions, helping farmers in arid regions.
Higher Reproductive Rates: Gene editing could enhance fertility traits like twinning, increasing herd productivity. For example, editing the FecB gene in sheep can boost litter size and meat and milk production.
Precision Breeding for Specific Traits: Gene-editing enables tailored traits like hypoallergenic milk or leaner meat, and even biotechnological applications like pharmaceutical production, supporting sustainable and innovative farming.
Trends in Livestock Gene‑Editing
Key global and Indian trends in gene‑editing livestock include:
Yield: Editing myostatin via CRISPR‑Cas9
Climate resilience: Gene‑editing for heat and disease resistance
Regulation: Simplifying non-GMO gene‑editing laws
AI integration: Identifying gene targets for gene‑editing
Public sector: SKUAST‑Kashmir and ICAR supporting gene‑editing
UPSC Syllabus Relevance:
Gene‑editing dovetails with UPSC GS-3 (Biotech, Agriculture) and GS-2 (Governance, Ethics). The Kashmir sheep project using CRISPR‑Cas9 offers a strong case study for modern agriculture, sustainable livestock, and policy discourse.
India’s first gene‑edited sheep in Kashmir, created via CRISPR‑Cas9, is a landmark in agricultural biotechnology. This gene‑editing achievement not only marks India’s emerging leadership but also offers UPSC aspirants a multidimensional case study spanning science, policy, and ethics.
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