Cyplatin, an effective anticancer drug, can be easily

7. Cyplatin, an effective anticancer drug, can be easily obtained from leutrozole, a chemical agent which is, in fact, the only cheap source of cyplatin. A shortage of leutrozole has been a significant obstacle to a mass production of cyplatin. However, it has recently been established that leutrozole is contained in abundance in the fat of blue dolphins, the finding that many biologists believe will spell the end of the species. Although at present there are vast populations of blue dolphins around the globe, the extensive hunt for these mammals will definitely wipe them out. Yet, the head of the Cancer Research Foundation claims that special equipment will allow scientists to extract dolphin’s fat without killing the animal. It is therefore unlikely that the existence of blue dolphins will be endangered.

The highlighted portions of the text perform which functions in the argument?

A: the first is a fact supporting the author’s prediction while the second acknowledges a deviation from the author’s main position
B: the first is a fact that casts doubt on the author’s conclusion while the second is the main evidence in the author’s argument
C: the first is an evidence in the author’s argument while the second is a prediction that follows from this evidence
D: the first is an acknowledgement of the opposite view; the second is a fact that speaks in favour of the author’s own conclusion
E: the first is a consideration that weighs against the author’s prediction; the second is a fact that establishes the truth of this prediction