Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: Somatic mutations are a change to a person’s DNA that occurs after conception to any cell that is not a germ cell (egg or sperm cell).

• Statement 2 is incorrect: Somatic mutations do not pass from parents to their children (not hereditary) and happen sporadically or randomly, without the mutation existing in a person’s family history. Sometimes, a somatic genetic mutation can render a cell fitter than others, which leads to the formation of tumours. So, these mutations are called driver mutations.

• Statement 3 is correct: Somatic genetic variants are important for a number of normal physiological processes. For example, the immune cells in our body, which produce antibodies, undergo an enormous amount of somatic changes to create diverse proteins. These proteins recognise and bind to specific pathogens, forming a ‘library’ of cells, each with a specific protein. During an infection, the body selects cells from this library, depending on which can bind to a pathogen better, and uses them to make antibodies. In other cases, somatic changes may cause certain diseases. Early somatic mutations can cause developmental disorders, whereas the progressive accumulation of mutations throughout life can lead to cancer and contribute to aging.

Hence option 2nd is correct.