manalq8 wrote:
Albinism is a rare genetic condition that inhibits the production of melanin, or pigmentation, in the skin and hair. People born with albinism are unusually susceptible to sunburn, melanoma, and a range of other health issues that are generally connected to excessive exposure to the sun.
The statements above, if true, provide the most support for which of the following conclusions?
(A) People born with albinism develop other biological protections against melanoma and other sun-related health issues.
(B) Humans with a high production of melanin can easily ignore health issues related to exposure to the sun.
(C) When a non-albino person gets sunburn, the amount of melanin produced by that person decreases.
(D) In humans, melanin plays a role in protecting the skin from developing sunburn and other sun-related ailments.
(E) It is not possible for a person born with albinism to adopt other artificial protective measures against excessive exposure to the sun.
OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
This argument provides that albinos, or people whose bodies do not produce melanin, are unusually susceptible to solar exposure. This suggests a connection between the production of melanin in humans and protection from sunburn and other sun-related ailments; we should look for a conclusion that draws this connection.
(A) The argument does not indicate that people born with albinism somehow develop other natural defenses against sun-related health issues.
(B) This conclusion is too extreme to be supported by the argument; nothing in the argument suggests that humans whose bodies produce high levels of melanin can "easily ignore" sunburn or other sun-related health issues.
(C) There is no indication in the argument that sunburn reduces melanin production.
(D) CORRECT. The argument does strongly suggest that melanin plays some role in protecting the skin from developing sunburn and other sun-related ailments, since albinos do not produce melanin and are unusually susceptible to sun-related ailments.
(E) It is not suggested in the argument that an albino person could not protect him or herself from solar exposure through artificial means, e.g. wearing protective clothing or powerful sunblock.