Stem cell therapy for diabetes has been garnering a lot of attention

My answer is (C). It took me 52 seconds.

(AB) "Be able to" strongly suggests the agency to take on the action by themselves.
(DE) Used in comparison, like is a preposition and cannot be followed by a clause such as "pancreatic cells do". Use "as pancreatic cells do" instead.

Stem cell therapy for diabetes has been garnering a lot of attention as a potential cure based on the assumption that stem cells are able to be programmed to behave like pancreatic cells.

A) are able to be programmed to behave like pancreatic cells
Incorrect - "are able to be" is grammatically incorrect

B) were able to be programmed to behave as pancreatic cells
Incorrect - "were able to be" is the wrong tense for a general statement

C) can be programmed to behave like pancreatic cells
Correct - This has proper grammatical construction

D) could be programmed to behave like pancreatic cells do
Incorrect - "can" is used for a general statement like this, not "could"

E) are capable of being programmed to behave like pancreatic cells do
Incorrect - The use of "being" is incorrect

In my opinion the answer is C

are able to vs can be – “are able to” implies that stem cell have the ability to perform the task itself. While “Can be” implies that stem cell can be programmed (but it will not program itself)

A) are able to be programmed to behave like pancreatic cells
Reason to eliminate: are able to is not the correct usage as per the logical meaning and reason discussed above

B) were able to be programmed to behave as pancreatic cells
Reason to eliminate: “were” is not the right tense to describe a general statement

C) can be programmed to behave like pancreatic cells
Correct choice: Can be is the right usage

D) could be programmed to behave like pancreatic cells do
Reason to eliminate: We can argue that can be is better fit than could be, but for me the biggest reason to eliminate this choice is “do”. If we replace do with the verb it’s referring to the sentence becomes – Stem Cells could be programmed to behave like pancreatic cells could be programmed.
Now this is an incorrect comparison/meaning, the original meaning that needs to be communicated is that the stem cell can be programmed to behave like pancreatic cells

E) are capable of being programmed to behave like pancreatic cells do
Reason to eliminate – We have issues with usage of “being” here, but I would eliminate this choice for the same reason as option D – Usage of “D”

Stem cell therapy for diabetes has been garnering a lot of attention as a potential cure based on the assumption that stem cells are able to be programmed to behave like pancreatic cells.

A) are able to be programmed to behave like pancreatic cells Incorrect

B) were able to be programmed to behave as pancreatic cells Incorrect

C) can be programmed to behave like pancreatic cells Correct

D) could be programmed to behave like pancreatic cells do Incorrect

E) are capable of being programmed to behave like pancreatic cells do Incorrect


Eliminate B, D & E - past form in B is wrong; like use to compare noun, not action; so eliminate D & E
between A & C -

in A meaning is wrong- "stem cells are able to..." that means stem cells has the ability, so eliminate

Answer C

Correct option C

Original Sentence
Stem cell therapy for diabetes has been garnering a lot of attention
- as a potential cure based on the assumption that
- stem cells are able to be programmed to behave like pancreatic cells.

Sentence exam on:
1. Verb tense
2. Usage of "like" {Stem cells = Pancreatic cells}

A) stem cells are able to be programmed to behave like pancreatic cells
wrong: tense error "are" present tense, "to be" future tense indicator

B) stem cells were able to be programmed to behave as pancreatic cells
wrong: tense error "were" past tense, "to be" future tense indicator

C) stem cells can be programmed to behave like pancreatic cells - Correct

Eliminate D, and E becasue,
1. Noun "Stem cells" are compared to verb/action of "pancreatic cells"
2. Option E, usage of "being" creates ambiguity,
either it is "noun" - which is programmed or
"verb" -present particle of 'to be'
3. both stem behaves "present tense", where we need, verb indicate future
D) stem cells could be programmed to behave like pancreatic cells do
E) stem cells are capable of being programmed to behave like pancreatic cells do

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