Extinction is the way of nature. Scientists estimate that over half of the species that have ever come into existence on this planet were already extinct before humans developed even the most primitive of tools. This constant natural process of species emergence and extinction, however, is ignored by those who wish to trace the blame for more recent extinctions to humanity’s use of technology, with its consequent effects on the environment. These people must be made to understand that the species that have become extinct in modern times would have become extinct by now even if humans had never acquired technology.
Which one of the following identifies a reasoning error in the passage?(A) The author mistakenly assumes that technology as not caused any harm to the environment.
(B) The author ignores the fact that some species that are not yet extinct are in danger of extinction.
(C) The author fails to consider that there are probably species in existence that have not yet been identified and studied by scientists.
(D) The author cites scientists who support the theory that over half of all species that ever existed have become extinct, but fails to mention any scientists who do not support that theory.
(E) The author provides no specific evidence that the species that have become extinct in modern times are the same species that would have become extinct in the absence of human technology.