Recently, the research and development departments of major pharmaceutical organisations have been experimenting with new injections that provide the boost in iron that anemic children need to reverse their condition. These companies have expressed confidence that children who are suffeing from anemia will be cured relatively simply through the use of such biochemical supplements.

In concluding that the biochemical remedy being developed will have its desired effect, the pharmacuetical companies assume that :

A) major pharmaceutical companies have the responsibility to cure childhood anemia

B)a low iron level in the body is the major factor influencing the incidence of anemia in children

C)a diet rich in iron cannot improve the conditions of children suffering from anemia to the point that biochemical supplements would become necessary

D)children aflicted with anemia will find out about and submit to injections that can reverse their conditions

E)the use of biochemical supplements is the safest way to cure anemia in children
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Sarat

I thought so too, but the answer given was D. The reason given is that there might be a number of obstacles to implement something even if there is a solution. It did not make much sense to me. If it makes sense to anyone please let me know how.

Thanks.
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Sarat

Agree with (D).

Negating (D) makes the argument fall apart.

IMO (B) is not correct.
"that provide the boost in iron that anemic children need to reverse their condition" Already establishes this point.

Diagramming
1) R&D depts of major pharmaceutical org have been experimenting with new injections
2) injections boost level of iron in anemic children
3) iron boost is needed to reverse anemic condition
4) Companies express confidence that anemic children can be cure simply by using the supplements <-- conclusion

1-3 are the premise of the argument and 4 is the conclusion.

To arrive at the conclusion, the companies made an assumption.

A) major pharmaceutical companies have the responsibility to cure childhood anemia
- Choice A is clearly out. The companies did not assume that they have the responsibility to cure childhood anemia. This choice is not important for the conclusion to stand solidly

B)a low iron level in the body is the major factor influencing the incidence of anemia in children
- The companies did not have to assume this ! It's already clearly stated in the premise (point 3) whereby it is said that and iron boost is needed to reverse anemic condition

C)a diet rich in iron cannot improve the conditions of children suffering from anemia to the point that biochemical supplements would become necessary
- C is also not the assumption either. Negating, C would become a diet rich in iron can cure anemia. This still does not say why we can't just use the biochemical supplements to cure anemic children (we're not arguing the best method now, so C is not a valid assumption)

D)children aflicted with anemia will find out about and submit to injections that can reverse their conditions
- Let's negate this choice. If children afflicated with anemia do not find out and will not submit to injectons, then it doesn't matter if the drug is extremely effective since no one is willing to use it. This means that the companies assumes that the child wants to use the drug they developed.

E)the use of biochemical supplements is the safest way to cure anemia in children
- Again, this is not valid since we're not arguing which is the safest way

D is a good choice.

agree with d