Final answer:
3) Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is the most practical method to screen a large gene for mutations. Hence, 3) is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most practical method to screen a large gene for mutations would be Next-generation sequencing (NGS). NGS allows for the rapid and inexpensive sequencing of the genomes of many organisms, accelerating the volume of new sequence data. It can sequence a large amount of genetic material simultaneously, making it suitable for screening a large gene for mutations.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a technique that allows for the rapid amplification of a specific DNA sequence, but it does not directly sequence the gene for mutations. Sanger sequencing is an older technique that is slower and more expensive compared to NGS. Western blotting is used to detect proteins, not mutations in genes.