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India’s First Gene-Edited Sheep Made at SKUAST Kashmir

28 May 20251 min read
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYIndia’s FirstGene-EditedSheep Made atSKUAST Kashmir28 May 2025safalsetu.com

Why in the news

Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Kashmir produced the first gene-edited sheep in the country.

Key facts

  • Offspring come out heavier than non-mutated ones; the lamb is three months old and its DNA goes abroad for verification.
  • The muscle trait is absent in Indian breeds but known in European ones such as the Texel.
  • No foreign DNA, which eases approval under India’s evolving biotech policy; ICAR’s gene-edited rice came shortly before.

Exam angle

  • Gene: myostatin; tool: CRISPR-Cas9.

Test yourself

1. Which gene was targeted in India's first gene-edited sheep to increase muscle growth?

The CRISPR-Cas9 edit targeted the myostatin gene.

2. Which institution developed India's first gene-edited sheep?

Scientists at SKUAST Kashmir developed it.

3. Roughly how much greater is the muscle mass of the gene-edited sheep compared with normal sheep?

The edited sheep has approximately 30% greater muscle mass.

This topic is part of Daily Current Affairs 28 May 2025 (20 topics).

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