Recently, reviewers of patent applications decided against granting a

Question

Competition Mode Question

Recently, reviewers of patent applications decided against granting a patent to a university for a genetically engineered mouse developed for laboratory use in studying cancer. The reviewers argued that the mouse was a new variety of animal and that rules governing the granting of patents specifically disallow patents for new animal varieties.

Which one of the following, if true, most weakens the patent reviewers’ argument?

Which one of the following, if true, most weakens the patent reviewers’ argument?

(A) The restrictions the patent reviewers cited pertain only to domesticated farm animals.

(B) The university’s application for a patent for the genetically engineered mouse was the first such patent application made by the university.

(C) The patent reviewers had reached the same decision on all previous patent requests for new animal varieties.

(D) The patent reviewers had in the past approved patents for genetically engineered plant varieties.

(E) The patent reviewers had previously decided against granting patents for new animal varieties that were developed through conventional breeding programs rather than through genetic engineering.

eakabuah · Answer

A is the right answer.

Breakdown of Argument
Conclusion: Recently, reviewers of patent applications decided against granting a patent to a university for a genetically engineered mouse developed for laboratory use in studying cancer.
Premise: The reviewers argued that the mouse was a new variety of animals and that rules governing the granting of patents specifically disallow patents for new animal varieties.

The conclusion is that the reviewers of patent applications decided against granting a patent to a university for a genetically engineered mouse that is developed for laboratory use in studying cancer. The grounds for the rejection is that the new mouse developed falls within a category of new animals for which rules governing the grant of patents is specifically disallowed. An assumption upon which this argument depends is that the specific rule that the reviewers have based their decision on applies to animals that are developed for laboratory purposes in studying cancer. If this rule does not apply to laboratory animals, then the argument will fall apart. Hence the greatest weakener to this argument must be one that suggests that the rules cited by the reviewers pertain to a different group of animals and not to animals genetically engineered for laboratory use. This is exactly what option A states, and hence must be the answer.

This is the correct answer as per the reasoning above.

Whether this is the first time that the university has applied for a patent or not for a genetically engineered mouse is irrelevant to the argument above. It does weaken the argument or strengthen the argument. Eliminate B.

This does not weaken the argument above. In any case, it could be seen as a strengthener because it suggests that there is a precedence set for the rejection of such animals and that the rejection, in this case, cannot be misconstrued as a form of bias towards the university. C can be eliminated.

This is out of scope. An approval for genetically engineered plant varieties may be justified and such approvals cannot be the basis to fault the reviewers for rejecting the patent request for a genetically engineered mouse. D can be eliminated.

Animals developed through conventional breeding programs are not the same as those developed through genetic engineering. Hence a rejection of patents for such conventionally developed animals cannot form the basis or grounds for rejection or honoring a patent request for a genetically engineered animal. E can be eliminated.

exc4libur · Answer

ARGUMENT
  university denied patent for new gmo mouse;
  office denied it because granting of patents specifically disallow patents for new animal varieties.

Ans (A)  since this mouse is not a farm animal, the argument's premise is invalid.

unraveled · Answer

Recently, reviewers of patent applications decided against granting a patent to a university for a genetically engineered mouse developed for laboratory use in studying cancer. The reviewers argued that the mouse was a new variety of animal and that rules governing the granting of patents specifically disallow patents for new animal varieties.

Which one of the following, if true, most weakens the patent reviewers’ argument?

Which one of the following, if true, most weakens the patent reviewers’ argument?

(A) The restrictions the patent reviewers cited pertain only to domesticated farm animals. - CORRECT. The new animal varieties doesn't cover the genetically engineered mouse which is not a domesticated animal. Hence on this basis the patent reviewer fell wrong.

(B) The university’s application for a patent for the genetically engineered mouse was the first such patent application made by the university. - WRONG. Irrelevant.

(C) The patent reviewers had reached the same decision on all previous patent requests for new animal varieties. - WRONG. Strengthens actually.

(D) The patent reviewers had in the past approved patents for genetically engineered plant varieties. - WRONG. Irrelevant.

(E) The patent reviewers had previously decided against granting patents for new animal varieties that were developed through conventional breeding programs rather than through genetic engineering. - WRONG. Strengthens actually.

IMO Answer A.

shameekv1989 · Answer

Correct - If the patent affects only to domesticated farm animals then the mouse shall not be affected since its not domesticated.

Whether first or last doesn't affect their decision

This will strengthen the argument

plant varieties does not concern the issue at hand

what decision was taken for breeding programs doesn't affect genetic engineered varieties. If anything, this would strengthen the argument

Answer - A

jrk23 · Answer

i am confuse between "A" and "e"....i think it "a" ....Lets wait what is the correct answer.

globaldesi · Answer

Recently, reviewers of patent applications decided against granting a patent to a university for a genetically engineered mouse developed for laboratory use in studying cancer. The reviewers argued that the mouse was a new variety of animal and that rules governing the granting of patents specifically disallow patents for new animal varieties.

Which one of the following, if true, most weakens the patent reviewers’ argument?

Which one of the following, if true, most weakens the patent reviewers’ argument?

(A)  The restrictions the patent reviewers cited pertain only to domesticated farm animals.  A should be the answer as it clearly dictates that mouse was laboratory usage whereas restriction applies only to domesticated farm animal.

(B)  The university’s application for a patent for the genetically engineered mouse was the first such patent application made by the university.   No impact on conclusion

(C)  The patent reviewers had reached the same decision on all previous patent requests for new animal varieties. Strengthen rather than weaken.

(D)  The patent reviewers had in the past approved patents for genetically engineered plant varieties.  No impact

(E)  The patent reviewers had previously decided against granting patents for new animal varieties that were developed through conventional breeding programs rather than through genetic engineering.  It does not weaken the statement but it does open a flaw.

Between A and E , A is the better contender.
A is the answer

madgmat2019 · Answer

conclusion: new variety animals are not permitted..her its a RAT.....this needs to be weakened

(A) The restrictions the patent reviewers cited pertain only to domesticated farm animals.........Clearly weakens saying that there are further restrictions in new variety animals....which excludes the present case.....CORRECT

(B) The university’s application for a patent for the genetically engineered mouse was the first such patent application made by the university.......OUT OF SCOPE.....INCORRECT

(C) The patent reviewers had reached the same decision on all previous patent requests for new animal varieties.......this actually strengthen the conclusion......INCORRECT

(D) The patent reviewers had in the past approved patents for genetically engineered plant varieties..........OUT OF SCOPE.....this didnt discuss about the new variety animals ,......INCORRECT

(E) The patent reviewers had previously decided against granting patents for new animal varieties that were developed through conventional breeding programs rather than through genetic engineering.........even this weakens the similar conclusion but not the exact one.....because the conclusion is about the new variety animals but not about new variety animal through onventional breeding programs/ genetic engineering...............INCORRECT

OA:A

nikitathegreat · Answer

Can someone explain why option E is wrong?
Can we say it doesnt matter what the patent reviewers did previously? What matters is the rule governing the patents.

rules governing the granting of patents specifically disallow patents for new animal varieties.

GMATNinja  @VeritasKarishma - Please help

GMATNinja · Answer

The university is seeking a patent for a genetically engineered mouse. This request was denied because "rules governing the granting of patents specifically disallow patents for new animal varieties."

Does (E) weaken the reviewers' reasoning for denying the request?
 
(E) discusses animals that were developed through  conventional  breeding programs, not those developed through genetic engineering. Patents were denied for these conventional animals.

That really doesn't impact the situation in the passage one way or another. Do the rules cover genetically engineered animals or not? (E) gives us no insight into this question, so it doesn't weaken the reviewers' reasoning for denying the request.

Here's (A):
 
The mice in the passage were "developed for laboratory use in studying cancer." In other words, they are NOT farm animals.

(A) tells us that the rules pertain ONLY to domesticate farm animals. So, the rules should not apply to the mice in question.

That really weakens the reviewers' argument, because they are using rules that shouldn't be used in this situation. So, (A) is the correct answer.

I hope that helps!

Recently, reviewers of patent applications decided against granting a

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