Which statement correctly contrasts somatic versus germ-line interventions regarding heritability?

• A. Somatic interventions alter body cells and are inheritable.
• B. Germ-line interventions modify eggs, sperm, or zygotes and are inheritable.
• C. Somatic interventions have no ethical considerations.
• D. Germ-line interventions do not involve any inheritance.

Answer: (B)

Heritability depends on where the genetic change occurs. Somatic interventions affect non-reproductive body cells (like liver or skin cells), so the edits stay with the treated person and aren’t passed to offspring. Germ-line interventions target eggs, sperm, or zygotes, meaning any edits can be transmitted to future generations. That makes the statement about inheritable changes in germ-line interventions correct. The other ideas don’t fit: somatic changes aren’t inherited, germ-line edits can involve inheritance, and ethical considerations can apply to both types.