8 months ago
India's First Gene-Edited Sheep Turns One
Scientists in India created a special sheep named Tarmeem using a technology called CRISPR.
This technology helps them change the sheep's genes to make it grow more muscle.
Tarmeem is now one year old and has about 10% more muscle than her normal twin sister.
The scientists hope that this can help make more meat for people to eat, especially in the Kashmir Valley where there isn't enough mutton.
They are still studying Tarmeem to make sure she is healthy and to learn more about how gene-editing can help animals grow better.
India's first gene-edited sheep, Tarmeem, has turned one year old, marking a significant milestone in animal science.
Tarmeem was created using CRISPR gene-editing technology to deactivate the myostatin gene, which restricts muscle growth.
At one year old, Tarmeem's muscle mass is 10% greater than that of her normal twin sister, with potential for further growth.
The research took seven years and involved multiple setbacks, but the process has now been standardized for future use.
Scientists believe this breakthrough could help address the severe mutton shortage in the Kashmir Valley and increase livestock productivity.
- Who
- Researchers at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) in Jammu and Kashmir, India
- What
- Creation of India's first gene-edited sheep, Tarmeem
- Where
- Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
- When
- Tarmeem was born on December 16, 2024, and turned one year old in December 2025
- Why
- To boost animal science studies, increase meat production, and address the mutton shortage in the Kashmir Valley
Key facts
- Name
- Tarmeem
- Birth Date
- December 16, 2024
- Location
- Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
- Technology Used
- CRISPR gene-editing
- Muscle Mass Increase
- 10% greater than her normal twin sister
- Research Duration
- 7 years
- Potential Meat Production Increase
- Up to 30% higher body weight
Quotes
Professor Riaz Shah
Project’s lead investigator and Dean of the Veterinary Faculty at SKUAST
“Tarmeem’s muscle mass is already about 10% greater than that of her normal twin sister, and this difference may become more pronounced as she grows older.”
news18.com
“At one year of age, Tarmeem’s physical, biochemical, and physiological parameters are entirely normal.”
news18.com
Professor Nazir Ahmad Ganai
SKUAST Vice Chancellor
“Gene-editing could increase sheep body weight by up to 30%, enabling higher meat production from fewer animals.”
news18.com
