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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 3): Organic chemist: Streptomycin and

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A & B are irrelevant

C. side effect of the new chemical as in runn offs are not clear.
D. If the proposed solution doesn't help to protect the livestock feed, then the new chemical is not a effective solution
E. the two conventional chemical may effect human life, but the new chemical breaks 100 times faster, so probability of reaching to human decreaes. Thus the new chemical may be better.

E & D

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A high number of crop failures are attributed to bacterial infections each year.
we're actually dealing with the harm to livestock
Streptomycin and oxytetracycline are fairly cheap to produce.
if they are cheap to produce then this is not a strenghthner of the argument to switch.
Streptomycin and oxytetracycline runoff can damage water bodies. Weakner[u][/u]
this one weakens the argument that talks about switching to another compound
Vancomycin is effective against a narrower range of bacteria than streptomycin and oxytetracycline are.
this one does not undermine nor strenghthen the argument
Streptomycin and oxytetracycline present in livestock further accumulate in humans who consume animal products. Strenghtner
this one is a strenghtner, it is a fair reason to want to switch to another compound

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Most strengthen: Streptomycin and oxytetracycline present in livestock further accumulate in humans who consume animal products.
Most weaken: Vancomycin is effective against a narrower range of bacteria than streptomycin and oxytetracycline are.

Strengthen why Vanco must be used, out of this and the water bodies one, I felt this is stronger, as we are only worried about health and bacterial resistance and not pollution in the passage
For weaken it was quiet straight fwd.

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To most strengthen the disease specialists’ position we have to find the adverse effect of Streptomycin and oxytetracycline or more positive effect of vancomycin.

To most weaken it we have to find weakness in vancomycin or positive efects of Streptomycin and oxytetracycline over vancomycin.

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most strengthen needs to give a reason why streptomycin and oxytetracycline should be replaced with vancomycin, most weakens the opposite

A high number of crop failures are attributed to bacterial infections each year.: gives a reason for any anti biotic or some other alternative to be used in comercial farming, doesn´t favour strepto, oxy o vanco in particular

Streptomycin and oxytetracycline are fairly cheap to produce.: we dont know is vanco is cheap expensive or even more cheap.

Streptomycin and oxytetracycline runoff can damage water bodies.: we don´t know if vanco runoff could also damage water bodies or if there actually is runoff from strepto and oxy

Vancomycin is effective against a narrower range of bacteria than streptomycin and oxytetracycline are.: if vanco is not as effective as strepto or oxy its a reason not to change to vanco. MOST WEAKENS

Streptomycin and oxytetracycline present in livestock further accumulate in humans who consume animal products.: one can assume that this would create negative outcomes for humans as we are also animals giving another reason to change to vanco. MOST STRENGHTEN

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Bunuel

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Let's take a look at each argument while keeping in mind that the specialists' position is that vancomycin should be used instead of streptomycin and oxytetracyline:

1) A high number of crop failures are attributed to bacterial infections each year.
-> This is not related to the argument (vancomycin vs streptomycin and oxytetracyline) so we can disregard this option.

2) Streptomycin and oxytetracycline are fairly cheap to produce.
-> This weakens the argument slightly as financial considerations are important. However, we are looking at this from the lens of "a public health crisis" so we can assume financial considerations are not as important here.

3) Streptomycin and oxytetracycline runoff can damage water bodies.
-> This strengthens the argument as it can potentially contribute to "a public health crisis" depending on the severity of the damaged water bodies.

4) Vancomycin is effective against a narrower range of bacteria than streptomycin and oxytetracycline are.
-> This significantly weakens the argument as it means that Vancomycin woud not be as effective of an anti-bacterial agent. This is the best option for weakening the position.

5) Streptomycin and oxytetracycline present in livestock further accumulate in humans who consume animal products.
-> This significantly strengthens the argument as accumulation of the two could potentially also lead to "poor health outcomes... and increase the risk of anti-biotic resistant bacterial strains evolving" in humans, which may lead to a public health crisis. This is the best option for strengthening the position.

Most strengthen -> Streptomycin and oxytetracycline present in livestock further accumulate in humans who consume animal products.

Most weaken -> Vancomycin is effective against a narrower range of bacteria than streptomycin and oxytetracycline are.

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To strengthen the disease specialist's position:

- Streptomycin and oxytetracycline present in livestock further accumulate in humans who consume animal products.

This information supports the disease specialist's argument by highlighting a direct public health risk associated with the continued use of streptomycin and oxytetracycline. The accumulation of these antibiotics in humans can contribute to antibiotic resistance, which is a significant public health concern.

To weaken the disease specialist's position:

- Vancomycin is effective against a narrower range of bacteria than streptomycin and oxytetracycline are.

This information weakens the disease specialist's argument by indicating that vancomycin might not be as effective in preventing bacterial infections in crops and livestock due to its narrower spectrum of activity. This could potentially lead to increased bacterial infections and associated problems, making it a less viable alternative despite its faster breakdown.

Why other information is irrelevant:

- A high number of crop failures are attributed to bacterial infections each year.

While this highlights the importance of effective antibacterial agents in farming, it doesn't directly address the comparison between vancomycin and streptomycin/oxytetracycline in terms of public health risks or antibiotic resistance.

- Streptomycin and oxytetracycline are fairly cheap to produce.

This information pertains to cost rather than health outcomes. The disease specialist's argument focuses on the health impacts and antibiotic resistance rather than the economic considerations of producing these antibiotics.

- Streptomycin and oxytetracycline runoff can damage water bodies.

While this is an environmental concern, it is not directly related to the buildup of antibiotics in livestock or the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria within livestock, which are central to the disease specialist's argument.

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A high number of crop failures are attributed to bacterial infections each year.

Streptomycin and oxytetracycline are fairly cheap to produce.
This weaken the argument but is not very straightforward and is not related to the point of the specialist of faster break down.

Streptomycin and oxytetracycline runoff can damage water bodies.
This strengthen the argument but is not very straightforward and is not related to the point of the specialist of faster break down.

Vancomycin is effective against a narrower range of bacteria than streptomycin and oxytetracycline are.
This information weakens the argument because it suggests that vancomycin is not effective and can't replace streptomycin and oxytetracycline

Streptomycin and oxytetracycline present in livestock further accumulate in humans who consume animal products.
This information stengthens the argument the most because it suggests that if vancomycin is not adopted a serious health problem may happen and be transfered to humans.

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A high number of crop failures are attributed to bacterial infections each year.
Irrelevant. It does not refer to streptomycin, oxytetracycline or vancomycin.

Streptomycin and oxytetracycline are fairly cheap to produce.
Incorrect. We don't know the cost of production of vancomycin.

Streptomycin and oxytetracycline runoff can damage water bodies.
Incorrect. We don't know if vancomycin produces the same effect.

Vancomycin is effective against a narrower range of bacteria than streptomycin and oxytetracycline are.
Correct Weaken. It weakens the vancomycin option.

Streptomycin and oxytetracycline present in livestock further accumulate in humans who consume animal products.
Correct Strengthen. We know from the test that "vancomycin breaks down much faster than streptomycin and oxytetracycline". So, if vancomycin also accumulates in humans, its harmful effects will last less.

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Organic chemist: Streptomycin and oxytetracycline are two anti-bacterial agents used in commercial farming, and may pose a serious public health risk down the line. These anti-bacterial agents are liberally applied to crops grown for animal feed and, as a result, it is common to find livestock with a build up of the chemicals in their bodies. In fact, levels of the antibiotics in livestock have been found to be up to 100 times what is needed to break down the natural bacterial eco-system of the animal, an outcome that leads to poor health outcomes for the animal and increases the risk of anti-biotic resistant bacterial strains evolving within them.

A disease specialist intends to use the chemist’s observations to argue that vancomycin, a compound that breaks down much faster than streptomycin and oxytetracycline, should replace them in the production of livestock feed, reducing the build-up of anti-biotic agents in livestock. Select the information that, if true, would most strengthen the disease specialists’ position, and that which, if true would most weaken it. Make only two selections, one in each column.

Most weaken : Vancomycin is effective against a narrower range of bacteria than streptomycin and oxytetracycline are. Therefore, vancomycin, a compound that breaks down much faster than streptomycin and oxytetracycline, can not replace them in the production of livestock feed, reducing the build-up of anti-biotic agents in livestock.

Most Strengthen : Streptomycin and oxytetracycline present in livestock further accumulate in humans who consume animal products. The statement strenghens the the disease specialists’ position that vancomycin, a compound that breaks down much faster than streptomycin and oxytetracycline, should replace them in the production of livestock feed, reducing the build-up of anti-biotic agents in livestoce since this build-up can further accumulate in humans who consume animal products.

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Most weaken : Vancomycin is effective against a narrower range of bacteria than streptomycin and oxytetracycline are.
Most strengthen: Streptomycin and oxytetracycline present in livestock further accumulate in humans who consume animal products.

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The organic chemist highlights the overuse of streptomycin and oxytetracycline in commercial farming, leading to high levels of these antibiotics in livestock, posing health risks and fostering antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains.

Strengthen: Vancomycin is effective against a narrower range of bacteria than streptomycin and oxytetracycline are. This strengthens the position because it suggests that vancomycin's use would be more targeted and potentially less disruptive to the natural bacterial ecosystems in livestock, compared to broad-spectrum antibiotics like streptomycin and oxytetracycline.

Weaken: Streptomycin and oxytetracycline runoff can damage water bodies. This weakens the position because if vancomycin is also prone to causing environmental damage, it would not provide a clear advantage over the current antibiotics in terms of environmental impact. It suggests that the problem of antibiotic runoff persists regardless of the specific antibiotic used.

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Specialist argument is based on avoiding build up since new chemical breaks down quicker.

Most Strengthen: Streptomycin and oxytetracycline present in livestock further accumulate in humans who consume animal products. - most supporting, since new chemical will break down quicker and might not reach when consumed by humans

Most Weaken: Vancomycin is effective against a narrower range of bacteria than streptomycin and oxytetracycline are. - weakner since if new chemical is not effective it can't be used. breaking down easy is not the use case of antibiotic.

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The specialist position was to use vancemycin instead of the other two antebacterial, because it will bring benefits to the livestock, and we needed to find one strenghtener and one weakener.
A --> It was an irrelevant choice, because it talks about crop failure, that is not relevant in the conclusion nor the stimulus.
B --> irrelevant, because price is not important in the text.
C --> irrelevant, water bodies does not matter
D --> weakener, because if vancemycin does not work on all bacteria as the other two, it can't replace them
E --> Strenghtener, because is a further reason to substitute the other chemicals

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Strengthen:

The argument would be strengthened by evidence showing that the faster breakdown of vancomycin significantly reduces the negative impacts associated with the build-up of streptomycin and oxytetracycline. This could be supported by evidence of downstream health impacts, particularly on humans who consume livestock treated with these antibiotic

Streptomycin and oxytetracycline present in livestock further accumulate in humans who consume animal products--This supports the argument by highlighting the risk of accumulation in the food chain, thereby strengthening the case for using an antibiotic like vancomycin that breaks down more quickly and reduces such risks.

Weaken:

The argument would be weakened by evidence that suggests vancomycin is less effective or more problematic in other ways, such as being less effective against a broad range of bacteria or presenting significant drawbacks that the other antibiotics do not.

Vancomycin is effective against a narrower range of bacteria than streptomycin and oxytetracycline are.--This would weaken the argument by suggesting that vancomycin may not be as effective in preventing bacterial infections in livestock, which could lead to other health issues or economic losses.

So answer for strengthen is Streptomycin and oxytetracycline present in livestock further accumulate in humans who consume animal products
Weaken is Vancomycin is effective against a narrower range of bacteria than streptomycin and oxytetracycline are

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Most Strengthen
Streptomycin and oxytetracycline present in livestock further accumulate in humans who consume animal products.

As they are harmful to human health it is crucial to refrain the use of Streptomycin and oxytetracycline and change for other with other benefits like vancomycin that breaks down much faster than streptomycin and oxytetracycline, and reducing the build-up of anti-biotic agents in livestock.

Most Weaken
Vancomycin is effective against a narrower range of bacteria than streptomycin and oxytetracycline are.
Even though it has some benefits also it is less effectiveness so may at some point it would be necessary to use streptomycin and oxytetracycline in farming to prevent bacterias vancomycin doesn't act.

-A high number of crop failures are attributed to bacterial infections each year
It is a fact neither a Strengthened nor Weakener

-Streptomycin and oxytetracycline are fairly cheap to produce.
In the text does not mention the cost of using vancomycin

-Streptomycin and oxytetracycline runoff can damage water bodies.
is a possibility, as there is any prove of that it is irrelevant

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Most Strengthen: Streptomycin and oxytetracycline present in livestock further accumulate in humans who consume animal products.

Most Weaken: Vancomycin is effective against a narrower range of bacteria than streptomycin and oxytetracycline are.

Explanation:

Organic chemist: Streptomycin and oxytetracycline may pose a serious public health risk.

Why Organic Chemist has this concern ?

These agents are applied to crops grown for animal feed.
antibiotics in livestock have been found to be up to 100 times what is needed to break down the natural bacterial eco-system of the animal
an outcome that leads to poor health and increases the risk of anti-biotic resistant bacterial strains evolving within them.

disease specialist: vancomycin should replace Streptomycin and oxytetracycline in the production of livestock feed

Why does Disease Specialist think that ?

vancomycin breaks down much faster than streptomycin and oxytetracycline.

Answer Choices:
1. A high number of crop failures are attributed to bacterial infections each year. :
Irrelevant to the argument about antibiotic buildup and resistance.-Irrelevant

2. Streptomycin and oxytetracycline are fairly cheap to produce. : This 'could' have weaken the Disease Specialist Argument if it anything to do with the Price of the Agents-Irrelevant

3. Streptomycin and oxytetracycline runoff can damage water bodies. : This does provide a reason as to why these agents could be potentially hazardous but does explain anything about the antibiotic buildup which is the crux of the argument.-Irrelevant

4. Vancomycin is effective against a narrower range of bacteria than streptomycin and oxytetracycline are. :This means even though Vancomycin is easy to break down, it cannot potentially replace the other 2 agents since it only works on a very small set of bacterias - Weaken

5. Streptomycin and oxytetracycline present in livestock further accumulate in humans who consume animal products. : This by default means that it is a strengthen but Still if we analyse the statement, it suggests that the 2 agents can accumulate in humans who consume animal products, and thus might have a similar impact on humans as well. This also further strenghten's the concern of organic Chemist that these 2 agents pose a public health risk. - Strengthen

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Answer: We are asked to determine to evaluate each statement to see which statement supports adopting a new anti-bacterial, vancomycin. The only thing we know about vancomycin is that it decomposes faster than streptomycin and oxytetracycline. On the other hand, we know that streptomycin and oxytetracycline are (1) liberally used in agriculture and (2) are found in animal bodies at a much higher level than needed to kill the bacteria in the animals. The text also tells us that streptomycin and oxytetracycline could lead to (1) weak health for the animals (presumably because both "good" and "bad" bacteria are killed) and (2) could create more resistant bacteria down the road. Denote the agents as V, S, and O for ease of reference.

Given this "Story," we consider the statements:

A high number of crop failures are attributed to bacterial infections each year. This does not weigh in favor of either V or S and O because we do not know if V is less effective than S and O in terms of killing bacteria (we only know that V breaks itself down much faster).
Streptomycin and oxytetracycline are fairly cheap to produce. While this is good for S and O, this does not weigh in favor of S and O because we do not know what is the cost of producing V relative to S and O.
Streptomycin and oxytetracycline runoff can damage water bodies. This weighs in favor of V. The reason why we have "runoff" in the first place is because S and O, unlike V, do not break down quickly (and that is why a large amount of S and O is found in animal bodies). In contrast, V breaks down easily, and thus the chance of V's runoff causing harm, if any, to water bodies is lower than S and O, supporting the adoption of V.
Vancomycin is effective against a narrower range of bacteria than streptomycin and oxytetracycline are. This weighs in favor of S and O. If V can fight against a narrower range of bacteria, then S and O would be preferred because the point of using anti-bacteria agents is to kill bacteria.
Streptomycin and oxytetracycline present in livestock further accumulate in humans who consume animal products. While attactive as a statement that supports V, this statement requires an assumption (a leap) that we cannot verify: Does S and O have any harmful effect on human health? Again, we only know the negative impacts of S and O on farm animals.

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Breaking down the disease specialits's position, vancomycin has to be benefitial in withstanding antibiotics, as well as potentially be less harmful than the two elements used previously.

Judging by several non-related options, like 'Streptomycin and oxytetracycline are fairly cheap to produce.' and 'A high number of crop failures are attributed to bacterial infections each year.', they have nothing to do with the actual specialist's opinion, or rather with comparison to vancomycin.

As far as weakeners go, we generally have only one candidate with some negatiity about vancomycin:

Vancomycin is effective against a narrower range of bacteria than streptomycin and oxytetracycline are.

And this is the answer that most weakens the author's statement.

There are two arguments that are kinda positive in terms of vancomycin (by pointing out the negativity of the other two elements):

Streptomycin and oxytetracycline runoff can damage water bodies.
Streptomycin and oxytetracycline present in livestock further accumulate in humans who consume animal products.

When we speak about water bodies, it's a general statement that cannot be helped by the scientist's proposition.
Th accumulation in human bodies, however, can be prevented whould these elements be 'destroyed' still within the animal bodies - therefore, this one is the strengthener we are looking for.

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