D it is. A,C have SV issues and E is awkward.

Between B and D "because it is genetically engineered" vs "being genetically engineered" I am leaning towards D here after relying on my ear .. +1 for a good question.

Adverb modifies verbs - eliminate A and B

A) because they are genetically engineered does not make it any more likely for plants to
B) because it is genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely to
C) being genetically engineered does not make it any more likely that plants will [It cannot refer plural plants – eliminate it]
D) being genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely to [Hold it]
E) being genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely that it will [It will holds good for predictions, but not for general truths – eliminate it]

Answer: D

Can you please elaborate more on "Adverb modifies verbs" explanation?
Still don't understand why not B.

One question has "being" that made sense.
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nice one..usage of "being" bothering me

I dont agree with that.
An adverb can modify almost everything except nouns.
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More about adverbs.

ADVERB OF MANNER

Adverbs of manner modify a verb to describe the way the action is done.

EG: She did the work carefully.

('Carefully' modifies the verb to describe the way the work was done, as opposed to quickly, carelessly, etc..)

ADVERB OF PLACE or LOCATION

Adverbs of place show where the action is done.

EG: They live locally.

ADVERB OF TIME

Adverbs of time show when an action is done, or the duration or frequency.

EG: He did it yesterday. (When)

They are permanently busy. (Duration)

She never does it. (Frequency)

ADVERB OF DEGREE

Adverbs of degree increase or decrease the effect of the verb.

EG: I completely agree with you. (This increases the effect of the verb, whereas 'partially' would decrease it.)

ADVERBS MODIFYING ADJECTIVES

An adjective can be modified by an adverb, which precedes the adjective, except 'enough' which comes after.

EG: That's really good.

It was a terribly difficult time for all of us.

It wasn't good enough. ('Enough' comes after the adjective.)

ADVERBS MODIFYING ADVERBS

An adverb can modify another. As with adjectives, the adverb precedes the one it is modifying with 'enough' being the exception again.

EG: She did it really well.

He didn't come last night, funnily enough.

ADVERBS MODIFYING NOUNS

Adverbs can modify nouns to indicate time or place.

EG: The concert tomorrow

EG: The room upstairs

ADVERBS MODIFYING NOUN PHRASES

Some adverbs of degree can modify noun phrases.

EG: We had quite a good time.

They're such good friends.

Quite; rather; such; what (What a day!) can be used in this way.

ADVERBS MODIFYING DETERMINERS, NUMERALS & PRONOUNS

Adverbs such as almost; nearly; hardly; about, etc., can be used:

EG: Almost everybody came in the end.

source: http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/adverb.html

I do not believe that adverbs modify nouns, but this is what the source stated, so I would be cautious about this.
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I will go for D too. Grammatically correct and no ambiguity.

So your point is that "Simply", which is an adverb, cannot modify "because", which is a conjuction?

I thought that an adverb could modify everything except for nouns.

Please clarify.

Thanks.


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