Researchers at the University of Kashmir produce India’s first gene-edited sheep: ‘Birth of a new era’. Bharat News

“So far, it has been done at the research level,” Professor Riyaz Ahmed Shah said, who led a team of five researchers in the scout. He said, “There are many applications in technology. We can edit the genes responsible for diseases to produce disease-resistant animals. It can also help in animal twins at birth,” he said.

The team of researchers edited myostatin genes responsible for regulating muscle development in the sheep.

“By interrupting the sheep, the muscle mass in the animal is increased by about 30%, a characteristically absent in Indian sheep breeds, but known in selected European breeds like Texel,” Prof. Shah said. “The introduction of this mutation through gene editing, and not through traditional crossbreeding, represents a technical jump.”

The team of researchers edited myostatin genes responsible for regulating muscle development in the sheep.

Earlier, a team of researchers at the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) developed a buffalo-edited embryo.

“This is not only the birth of a lamb, but the birth of a new era in livestock genetics in India,” Vice Chancellor of Scout-Kashmir, Dr. Nazir Ahmed said. “With gene editing, we have the ability to bring accurate, beneficial changes without introducing foreign DNAs, making the process efficient, safe and potentially made acceptable to both regulators and consumers.”

The project was sponsored by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Shah said, “Jean editing was done using CRISPR-CAS9 technology and the International Bio Safety Protocol was followed.” Jean-Setting Technology, CRISPR won the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

He said, “Edited sheep have no foreign DNA, thus separating it from transgenic organisms. It can pave the way for regulatory approval under India’s developed biotech policy framework,” he said.

An experienced scientist, Shah is also credited with the development of First cloned Pashmina goat, Noori, 2012. Pashmina goat lived for 11 years and produced seven children. With specialization in animal cloning and gene editing, Shah has also played an important role in manufacturing the world’s first clone buffello in NDRI, Karnal.

He said, “The government is already in the process of making rules for gene-edited animals. Once it is done, and it is allowed at the farmer level, it will be widely application,” he said.