India's gene-edited sheep, Tarmeem, has reached its first birthday, and researchers are optimistic about its progress. Born in Indian-administered Kashmir, Tarmeem is the first of its kind in India, developed using CRISPR technology. This technology allows scientists to modify DNA, essentially acting as a pair of molecular scissors to remove genes that cause weaknesses or diseases. The sheep was created by extracting embryos from pregnant sheep, editing a specific gene (myostatin) that affects muscle growth, and then transferring the embryos to a foster mother. After 150 days, Tarmeem was born with a significant increase in muscle mass compared to its non-edited twin. Researchers are now evaluating its health and survival, keeping it in a secure environment under surveillance. The success of this experiment could lead to sustainable mutton production in the Kashmir Valley, where the demand for meat is high, but the supply is limited. Gene editing has been a topic of ethical debate, but countries like Argentina, Australia, and Japan have already approved gene-edited fish, cattle, and pigs for consumption. The US and China are also using gene editing to create more productive and disease-resistant crops and animals. In India, the agriculture ministry has approved two gene-edited rice varieties, and researchers are optimistic about the potential of gene-edited animals for the meat industry. However, the future of Tarmeem's treatment as a natural genetic variant in India remains uncertain.
