Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 4 — 1, 2 and 3

All three statements regarding genome editing and stem cell technologies are scientifically correct and represent current capabilities in biotechnology.

✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Germline gene editing using technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 can introduce genetic changes in germ cells (eggs or sperm), making these modifications heritable and transmissible to future generations.

✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Genome editing can be performed at the early embryonic stage (zygote or blastocyst stage) before birth, allowing for correction of genetic mutations that cause hereditary diseases.

✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can be injected into pig embryos to create human-animal chimeras, a technique used in research for studying organ development and exploring potential for human organ transplantation.

📝 Short Notes: Genome Editing and Stem Cell Technologies

• CRISPR-Cas9: A revolutionary gene-editing tool that allows precise modifications to DNA sequences in living organisms, enabling targeted correction of genetic defects.
• Germline Editing: Modifications made to germ cells (eggs, sperm) or early embryos that are heritable and passed to future generations, raising significant ethical concerns.
• Somatic Gene Editing: Changes made to non-reproductive cells that affect only the individual and are not passed to offspring.
• Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs): Adult cells reprogrammed to an embryonic-like pluripotent state, capable of differentiating into any cell type in the body.
• Chimeras: Organisms containing cells from two different species; human-animal chimeras are used in research to study disease mechanisms and organ development.
• Ethical Concerns: Germline editing and chimera research raise questions about human dignity, unintended consequences, equity in access, and the creation of designer babies.
• Regulatory Status: Many countries have banned or strictly regulate germline editing in humans, though research continues in controlled settings for therapeutic purposes.