12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 3: In the field of nutriti

Question

12 Days of Christmas 🎅 GMAT Competition with Lots of Questions & Fun

In the field of nutrition, experts argue that if individuals had access to and followed personalized dietary plans based on their genetic makeup, they could significantly improve their health. However, critics argue that this approach is overly optimistic, as any lack of health improvement could be attributed to factors other than the dietary plan, such as lifestyle or environmental influences, making the experts' claim unverifiable.

Which of the following, if true, could best be used as a basis for arguing against the critics' position that the nutrition experts' claim cannot be evaluated?

(A) Clinical trials involving individuals with specific genetic predispositions have demonstrated significant health improvements when following diets tailored to their genetic needs, as opposed to a control group on a standard diet.

(B) Population studies have revealed that regions with diets closely aligned with the genetic characteristics of their inhabitants have lower rates of certain genetic health conditions.

(C) Advances in genetic testing have enabled precise identification of nutritional needs, leading to the development of highly individualized dietary recommendations that have shown effectiveness in preliminary studies.

(D) Statistical analyses indicate a strong correlation between the adherence to genetically personalized diets and improvements in markers of chronic diseases, as compared to those following general dietary advice.

(E) Longitudinal studies tracking individuals on genetically tailored diets have shown consistent health benefits over time, in contrast to those without access to such personalization.

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

GMAT Club's Official Explanation:

Question Context:

Experts claim that personalized dietary plans based on genetic makeup can significantly improve health. Critics argue this approach is unverifiable because any lack of health improvement might be attributed to factors other than the dietary plan.

Analysis of the Answer Choices

A. Clinical trials involving individuals with specific genetic predispositions have demonstrated significant health improvements when following diets tailored to their genetic needs, as opposed to a control group on a standard diet.
 - This choice offers strong evidence against the critics' position. Clinical trials with control groups provide a scientific method to evaluate the effectiveness of personalized diets, showing that these improvements are due to the diet and not other factors.

B. Population studies have revealed that regions with diets closely aligned with the genetic characteristics of their inhabitants have lower rates of certain genetic health conditions.
 - While this shows a correlation at a population level, it doesn't directly address the critics' concern about attributing health improvements to personalized diets specifically.

C. Advances in genetic testing have enabled precise identification of nutritional needs, leading to the development of highly individualized dietary recommendations that have shown effectiveness in preliminary studies.
 - This option supports the feasibility and potential effectiveness of personalized diets but doesn’t directly counter the critics' argument about unverifiability.

D. Statistical analyses indicate a strong correlation between the adherence to genetically personalized diets and improvements in markers of chronic diseases, as compared to those following general dietary advice.
 - This statistical correlation offers evidence against the critics’ claim, suggesting that improvements can be attributed to the personalized diets rather than other factors.

E. Longitudinal studies tracking individuals on genetically tailored diets have shown consistent health benefits over time, in contrast to those without access to such personalization.
 - Longitudinal studies provide strong evidence that personalized diets contribute to health improvements, countering the critics’ claim about unverifiability.

Correct Answer:

Based on this analysis, (A) would be the best choice. It directly counters the critics' position by showing that in controlled clinical trials, personalized diets based on genetic makeup lead to significant health improvements. This evidence effectively demonstrates that the impact of such diets can be evaluated and is not merely an optimistic but unverifiable claim.

pavantejatula · Answer

a) within the scope ( A IS CORRECT ANSWER )
b) lower rates of occurrence (future health conditions ) .... distortion
c) taking about effectiveness... not related
d) limited to chronic diseases.. limited scope
e) mentioned about health benefits but question is about improvements .. distortion

Mukulkumar19 · Answer

The critics are arguing by saying that if there are no improvements then the lack of improvement will be contributed to some other factors by the Nutritionist. To argue against it, if we have any answer choice which removes the possibility of any other factor then the Nutritionist claim will be strengthened.

(A) Clinical trials involving individuals with specific genetic predispositions have demonstrated significant health improvements when following diets tailored to their genetic needs, as opposed to a control group on a standard diet.    So the clinical trial has demonstrated the claim made by Nutritionist and the control group is on standard diet, which means that there are pretty much no differences in other factors and hence the improvement can be contributed to the Diet

(B) Population studies have revealed that regions with diets closely aligned with the genetic characteristics of their inhabitants have lower rates of certain genetic health conditions.     irrelevant

(C) Advances in genetic testing have enabled precise identification of nutritional needs, leading to the development of highly individualized dietary recommendations that have shown effectiveness in preliminary studies.    The argument is not if the diet is effective or not, it is about the cases where failure would be contributed to some other factors

(D) Statistical analyses indicate a strong correlation between the adherence to genetically personalized diets and improvements in markers of chronic diseases, as compared to those following general dietary advice.    again the argument is not about the effectiveness of diet

(E) Longitudinal studies tracking individuals on genetically tailored diets have shown consistent health benefits over time, in contrast to those without access to such personalization.   similar error as the last one

missionmba2025 · Answer

(A) Clinical trials involving individuals with specific genetic predispositions have demonstrated significant health improvements when following diets tailored to their genetic needs, as opposed to a control group on a standard diet.

This is a strengthener. If clinical studies have shown significant heath improvements when diets are tailored to the genetic needs as opposed to standard diet, we can evaluate the nutrition experts' claim.
Hence, this can be used as a basis for arguing against the critics' position.

(B) Population studies have revealed that regions with diets closely aligned with the genetic characteristics of their inhabitants have lower rates of certain genetic health conditions.

This mildly supports the critics' position as such people already have lower rates of certain genetic health conditions. Hence we can eliminate this,

(C) Advances in genetic testing have enabled precise identification of nutritional needs, leading to the development of highly individualized dietary recommendations that have shown effectiveness in preliminary studies.

While this can also be used to argue against the critics' position, 'preliminary studies' is a deal breaker here. Option A is better positioned.

(D) Statistical analyses indicate a strong correlation between the adherence to genetically personalized diets and improvements in markers of chronic diseases, as compared to those following general dietary advice.

We do not if the correlation is positive or negative. Hence, we can eliminate this.

(E) Longitudinal studies tracking individuals on genetically tailored diets have shown consistent health benefits over time, in contrast to those without access to such personalization.

Doesn't help argue against the critics' position. Infact it mildly supports as the studies are performed on a geographic region.

IMO A

12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 3: In the field of nutriti

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) Questions

12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 3: In the field of nutriti

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards