Public policy dictates the health risks the public routinely takes. St

Question

Public policy dictates the health risks the public routinely takes. Statistical arguments about health risks are used primarily to deflect public fears, while contributing little to policy debate. For example, statistics are cited to imply that wearing a seat belt reduces one’s risk of death in an automobile accident, deflecting attention from the fact that a transportation policy that promotes increasing use of automobiles inherently increases any individual’s risk of death in an automobile accident.

The way the example functions above is most closely paralleled in which one of the following?

(A) Statistics indicate that an individual’s risk of contracting cancer from radiation emitted by a nuclear power plant is less than that of contracting cancer from sunshine. These statistics draw attention away from the fact that a policy of energy conservation is safer for human health than a policy based on nuclear energy.

(B) Statistics indicate that an urban resident’s risk of accidental death from any cause is no greater than that of an individual who lives in a suburban or rural area. These statistics counter the widely held public belief that urban areas are more dangerous than suburban or rural areas.

(C) Statistics indicate that the average life expectancy of males is shorter than that of females. This alone should not influence policies regarding eligibility for life insurance because it is also true that any individual’s expectancy can be calculated on the basis of personal characteristics and health practices.

(D) Statistics indicate that the average life expectancy of males is shorter than that of females. When one accounts for the fact that females smoke less and are less likely to work in jobs in the chemical and manufacturing industries, the difference in life expectancy is narrowed.

(E) Statistics indicate that the number of people dependent on alcohol far exceeds the number dependent on illegal addictive drugs; thus, any policy for the control and treatment of substance abuse should provide for treatment of alcoholism.

cano · Answer

A for me as well.
The question is not difficult, as you can tell A apart from the other options that don't come even closer. The problem is that it takes a lot of time to read through...

scbguy · Answer

A is the best option. It clearly bifurcated the role stats play with respect to public fear and contributes little to public policy. All the other choices don't even rival closely of A.

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LogicGuru1 · Answer

ANSWER IS SURE SHOT A 
 Explanation:- 
Policies of government make the general public to take risk, but this fact is hidden from the public using clever statistics.
For example, Government says wearing seatbelt reduces death, BUT they hide the fact that their failure to make a policy/rule/law to control the number of vehicles on road automatically increases the chances of death of any random person on road. But Government hides their failure to formulate such a law by giving random statistics about seat belts.(This makes people take risk - DRIVING IN A CONGESTED ROAD but also deflect their fear- SEATBELT WILL SAVE YOU.

Now we have to find an argument that mimics this logic

OPTION A is the perfect choice. 
   Government says - The chances of getting cancer from sunlight are more than the chances of getting cancer from Nuclear power plants. Thus assuring people to live near Nuclear power plants without any fear (Like the seatbelt argument- drive without fear, since you are wearing seatbelt your chances to die in an accident are low)
But in reality they are hiding the fact that government is unable to implement a policy to conserve energy. If energy is conserved , Nuclear power plant may not be needed at all. (Just like the car and seatbelt policy- If government was able to control the number of cars, then probably seatbelt weld not be needed at all. It gave the "seatbelt is safe" statistics to make people feel better . In other case it is again giving the sunlight causes more cancer than power plants line to make people feel secure. )

unraveled · Answer

Public policy dictates the health risks the public routinely takes. Statistical arguments about health risks are used primarily to deflect public fears, while contributing little to policy debate. For example, statistics are cited to imply that wearing a seat belt reduces one’s risk of death in an automobile accident, deflecting attention from the fact that a transportation policy that promotes increasing use of automobiles inherently increases any individual’s risk of death in an automobile accident.

The way the example functions above is most closely paralleled in which one of the following?

(A) Statistics indicate that an individual’s risk of contracting cancer from radiation emitted by a nuclear power plant is less than that of contracting cancer from sunshine. These statistics draw attention away from the fact that a policy of energy conservation is safer for human health than a policy based on nuclear energy. - CORRECT.

(B) Statistics indicate that an urban resident’s risk of accidental death from any cause is no greater than that of an individual who lives in a suburban or rural area. These statistics counter the widely held public belief that urban areas  are more dangerous  than suburban or rural areas. - WRONG. Dangerous as an aspect is a diversion from the core of the passage.

(C) Statistics indicate that the average life expectancy of males is shorter than that of females. This alone  should not influence  policies regarding eligibility for life insurance because it is also true that any individual’s expectancy can be calculated on the basis of personal characteristics and health practices. - WRONG. Directing things is not at all can be seen in the passage.

(D) Statistics indicate that the average life expectancy of males is shorter than that of females.  When one accounts for  the fact that females smoke less and are less likely to work in jobs in the chemical and manufacturing industries, the difference in life expectancy is narrowed. - WRONG. Not at all parallel.

(E) Statistics indicate that the number of people dependent on alcohol far exceeds the number dependent on illegal addictive drugs; thus, any policy for the control and treatment of substance abuse  should provide for treatment of alcoholism . - WRONG. Similar to C in structure.

C, D and E are alike in some or the other way they are structured as compared to passage.

Answer A.

VerbalBot · Answer

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Public policy dictates the health risks the public routinely takes. St

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