The publication of a substantially complete human genome sequence has

Question

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Passage # 30, Date: 15-Apr-2020
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The publication of a substantially complete human genome sequence has the potential to enable scientists to turn their attention to studying the significance of genetic variation. Health issues such as coronary disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and neurological disorders are influenced by both genetics and environmental factors. The latter influence has been studied, to date, only at unusually high levels of exposure. Now, with improved capabilities to distinguish patterns of gene and protein expression through microarray assays and proteomic studies, researchers should be able to better assess the effects of everyday exposure to chemicals and to ionizing radiation, particularly in individuals with genetic susceptibility. Provided that researchers can access identifiable genetic information for the participants in such studies in order to analyze the link between such exposures and complicating genetic factors, the practice of making public health decisions based on genetic research will lead to groundbreaking improvements in the science of environmental health.

A barrier looms, however, that could block the large population studies needed to answer questions about environmental exposure and its impact: ill-conceived proposals at the state and national levels aimed at protecting the confidentiality of genetic information. One such proposal, applicable to genetic testing conducted on individual patients, would require the removal of any identifying information from genetic data before such data is placed in a database. While this solution appears to be a straightforward way to ensure patient confidentiality, anonymous databases preclude researchers from being able to conduct studies that link genetics to environmental influences. Another legislative proposal, introduced as the Genetic Privacy Act, would impose stringent requirements to ensure both the informed consent of all participants in genetic studies and the safeguarding of confidentiality when researchers access the records. Such restrictions may render large-scale population studies impossible and eliminate access to previously collected data.

A better alternative exists that can appropriately balance demand for privacy with scientific research. Institutions seeking to utilize genetic databases should acquire "Certificates of Confidentiality" similar to those currently granted for government-approved alcohol and substance abuse research. This system of certification, accountability, and procedural safeguards has worked effectively to allow appropriate access to confidential alcohol and substance abuse records for scientific study while protecting individual privacy. Recent studies indicate that linking even “anonymous” genetic data to particular individuals is easier than geneticists previously assumed; thus, rigorously limiting access to databases through a certificate system is the best way to ensure the continued progress of human genetic research.    1 
 1. The passage is chiefly concerned with

A. arguing that individuals’ privacy is insignificant compared to continuing progress in human genetic research
B. claiming that human genetic information should not be regulated 
C. demonstrating the benefits of genetic research
D. advocating protection of individual privacy with respect to genetic information
E. recommending a method of controlling access to genetic information so that its benefits can be realized

2 
 2. The author most probably mentions several specific types of health issues in the second sentence of the passage in order to

A. encourage scientists to direct their attention to the core factors underlying human ailments
B. suggest the necessity of regulation to limit environmental exposure to chemicals and ionizing radiation
C. identify those illnesses caused by high levels of exposure to chemicals and ionizing radiation
D. emphasize the importance of genetic research to addressing significant human problems
E. identify those health issues that can be be triggered by relatively low levels of exposure to chemicals and ionizing radiation

3 
 3. It can be inferred that the proposal described in the second sentence of paragraph 2 would be ineffective because it would

A. compromise the privacy of test subjects
B. eliminate a condition necessary for successful research
C. render the study of human genetics impossible
D. require generalizing from the experience of individual patients
E. violate the provisions of the Genetic Privacy Act

4 
 4. Which of the following best describes the structure of the second paragraph of the passage?

A. Two proposals are described, and the shortcomings of each are identified.
B. Two proposals are described, and a benefit common to both is identified.
C. A proposal is described, and a correction is suggested.
D. A warning is made about two proposals, and a third proposal adopts the best features of each.
E. Two proposals are contrasted, and a third is alluded to.

kris19 · Answer

1. The passage is chiefly concerned with

A. arguing that individuals’ privacy is insignificant compared to continuing progress in human genetic research
 not correct: passage doesn't say that privacy is insignificant

B. claiming that human genetic information should not be regulated 
 not correct: passage focuses mainly on genetic research and how it will lead to groundbreaking improvements, and the challenges present.

C. demonstrating the benefits of genetic research
 not correct: in addition to benefits, some challenges are discussed, and an alternative is given in the passage

D. advocating protection of individual privacy with respect to genetic information
 not correct: advocating protection of individual privacy is one challenge, an alternative to overcome is given in the passage

E. recommending a method of controlling access to genetic information so that its benefits can be realized
 correct: genetic research has benefits, and protecting information is crucial for the wide scale success; an alternative solution is given to overcome the challenges present with info protection

2. The author most probably mentions several specific types of health issues in the second sentence of the passage in order to

A. encourage scientists to direct their attention to the core factors underlying human ailments
 not correct: passage doesn't say that attention needs to be on core factors

B. suggest the necessity of regulation to limit environmental exposure to chemicals and ionizing radiation
 not correct: regulation to limit environmental exposure is not discussed

C. identify those illnesses caused by high levels of exposure to chemicals and ionizing radiation
 not correct: no information is given to suggest that coronary disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and neurological disorders are caused by high levels of exposure

D. emphasize the importance of genetic research to addressing significant human problems
 correct: passage says 'Provided that researchers can access identifiable genetic information for the participants in such studies in order to analyze the link between such exposures and complicating genetic factors' and how this research address human problems by 'the practice of making public health decisions based on genetic research will lead to groundbreaking improvements'

E. identify those health issues that can be be triggered by relatively low levels of exposure to chemicals and ionizing radiation
 not correct: no connection between low levels of exposure and coronary disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and neurological disorders

3. It can be inferred that the proposal described in the second sentence of paragraph 2 would be ineffective because it would

A. compromise the privacy of test subjects
 not correct: the proposal talks about the 'removal of any identifying information', not about 'compromising the privacy'

B. eliminate a condition necessary for successful research
 correct: passage says 'proposal, applicable to genetic testing conducted on individual patients, would require the removal of any identifying information' which in turn 'preclude researchers from being able to conduct studies that link genetics to environmental influences'

C. render the study of human genetics impossible
 not correct: not discussed

D. require generalizing from the experience of individual patients
 not correct: experience of individual patients is not discussed

E. violate the provisions of the Genetic Privacy Act
 not correct: violation of Genetic Privacy act is not discussed

4. Which of the following best describes the structure of the second paragraph of the passage?

A. Two proposals are described, and the shortcomings of each are identified.
 correct: a 'barrier' is discussed and two proposals to address are discussed along with their shortcomings

B. Two proposals are described, and a benefit common to both is identified.
 not correct: a common benefit is not discussed in the second para

C. A proposal is described, and a correction is suggested.
 not correct: not discussed about a correction

D. A warning is made about two proposals, and a third proposal adopts the best features of each.
 not correct: not discussed about a warning, only short comings are discussions

E. Two proposals are contrasted, and a third is alluded to.
 not correct: two proposal are contrasted

SiffyB · Answer

1. The passage is chiefly concerned with
 
A. arguing that individuals’ privacy is insignificant compared to continuing progress in human genetic research
B. claiming that human genetic information should not be regulated
C. demonstrating the benefits of genetic research
D. advocating protection of individual privacy with respect to genetic information
  E. recommending a method of controlling access to genetic information so that its benefits can be realized

(A) The author never argues that privacy of individuals is insignificant. In fact, he does not present his opinion on the topic of individual privacy at all.
(B) Again, the author does not make any such claim about human genetic information.
(C) His chief concern is not only to demonstrate the benefits but also talk about a method to control access to this information. This answer encompasses partial scope.
(D) The author does not share his opinion on protection of individual privacy.
(E) This is the correct choice since it combines the information given in the passage and sets the correct context for it.

2. The author most probably mentions several specific types of health issues in the second sentence of the passage in order to
 
A. encourage scientists to direct their attention to the core factors underlying human ailments
B. suggest the necessity of regulation to limit environmental exposure to chemicals and ionizing radiation
C. identify those illnesses caused by high levels of exposure to chemicals and ionizing radiation
  D. emphasize the importance of genetic research to addressing significant human problems 
 E. identify those health issues that can be be triggered by relatively low levels of exposure to chemicals and ionizing radiation

The author believes that the publication of a substantially complete human genome sequence will be able to turn the attention of scientists to studying genetic variation and then he goes on to state these diseases which are affected by both genetics and environmental conditions. While research on environmental conditions affecting human health have been done, research on genetics is an area which hasn't been have much attention. Thus, he wants research to happen in this area as well. (D) is the correct answer because of the aforementioned reason.
 
 3. It can be inferred that the proposal described in the second sentence of paragraph 2 would be ineffective because it would
 
A. compromise the privacy of test subjects
  B. eliminate a condition necessary for successful research 
 C. render the study of human genetics impossible
D. require generalizing from the experience of individual patients
E. violate the provisions of the Genetic Privacy Act

According to the passage, anonymous databases (what the proposal suggested) will prevent researchers from further researching to determine the linkage between genetics and environmental conditions. This is clearly stated in option (B) which states that this proposal will eliminate a condition necessary for successful research. Thus, (B) is the correct choice.
 
 4. Which of the following best describes the structure of the second paragraph of the passage?
 
  A. Two proposals are described, and the shortcomings of each are identified. 
 B. Two proposals are described, and a benefit common to both is identified.
C. A proposal is described, and a correction is suggested.
D. A warning is made about two proposals, and a third proposal adopts the best features of each.
E. Two proposals are contrasted, and a third is alluded to.

In the second paragraph, two proposals are discussed, thus, we can safely eliminate options (C) which talks about only one proposal and (D) and (E) which talk about three proposals.
Now, along with stating those two proposals, their drawbacks or shortcomings are also discussed. Thus, option (A) is the correct answer.

Gowtham91 · Answer

Q1. 
A. para2 completely deals with importance of individual's privacy wrt to genetic research. So its significant. 
B. No. Again, para2 deals with regulation of human genetic information and privacy.
C. This is true for para1, but not the entire passage.
D. This is true for para2, but not the entire passage.
 E. Correct.  Para1 deals with imporatance of genetic research, para2 deals with regulating the genetic data and thereby privacy of individuals. para3 deals with an amicable solution for the problems of 2 solutions provided with a recommendation of 3rd alternative satisfying both privacy concerns and genetic research. This is in line with the summaries of 3 paras.

Q2.
A. No. 
B. No.
C. Illnesses are already identified. 
 D. Correct.  This can be inferred from para1 - "The publication of a substantially complete human genome sequence has the potential to enable scientists to turn their attention to studying the  significance of genetic variation ." The sentence 2 acts as a premise for sentence1. 
E. It is not for low levels of exposure but rather high levels (everyday) of exposure as mentioned in para1.

Q3. 
A. No. Privacy is ensured. 
 B. Correct.  Link between genetics and environmental factors is important which is eliminated by this menthod. "While this solution appears to be a straightforward way to ensure patient confidentiality, anonymous databases preclude researchers from being able to conduct studies that link genetics to environmental influences."
C. No. Only studying the linkage is impossible. Not the entire study. 
D. Also true, but this is not the reason for research to be ineffective. 
E. This pertains to the second proposal and not the first one.

4.
 A. Correct  This is a straightforward one. This is the sole purpose of second paragraph. 
B. No benefit is identified. 
C. No correction is suggested.
D. No warning is made, but only shortcomings. 
E. The two solutions are not contrasted. The 3rd one is proposed in para3 and not para2.

SSandy066 · Answer

1.The passage is chiefly concerned with

A. arguing that individuals’ privacy is insignificant compared to continuing progress in human genetic research
B. claiming that human genetic information should not be regulated 
C. demonstrating the benefits of genetic research
D. advocating protection of individual privacy with respect to genetic information
E. recommending a method of controlling access to genetic information so that its benefits can be realized->Correct
Explanation:
Para 1: about Publication article on genetic variation. Health problem and factors (genetics + Environmental ), which are affecting the health problem. Based on present day available technic help to research and outbreak improvements in the science of environmental health.
Para 2: discussing barriers & respective problem to the research study.
Para 3: Provide alternative existed proposal & provide its benefits.

2.The author most probably mentions several specific types of health issues in the second sentence of the passage in order to

A. encourage scientists to direct their attention to the core factors underlying human ailments. ->Correct.
Explanation
Para 1 “..substantially complete human genome sequence has the potential to enable scientists to turn their attention to studying the significance of genetic variation….”
B. suggest the necessity of regulation to limit environmental exposure to chemicals and ionizing radiation
C. identify those illnesses caused by high levels of exposure to chemicals and ionizing radiation
D. emphasize the importance of genetic research to addressing significant human problems
E. identify those health issues that can be triggered by relatively low levels of exposure to chemicals and ionizing radiation.

3.It can be inferred that the proposal described in the second sentence of paragraph 2 would be ineffective because it would

A. compromise the privacy of test subjects-> Correct.
Explanation:
“…proposals at the state and national levels aimed at protecting the confidentiality of genetic information. …… individual patients, would require the removal of any identifying information …….. such data is placed in a database”.
B. eliminate a condition necessary for successful research
C. render the study of human genetics impossible 
D. require generalizing from the experience of individual patients
E. violate the provisions of the Genetic Privacy Act.

4.Which of the following best describes the structure of the second paragraph of the passage?

A. Two proposals are described, and the shortcomings of each are identified.->Correct
Explanation
Para 2: Present hurdles for genetic research study 
Proposal one: Removal of any identifying information of subject from genetic data before such data is placed in a database”
Problem: Anonymous databases preclude researchers from being able to conduct studies that link genetics to environmental influences.
Proposal two: Ensure both the informed consent of all participants in genetic studies and the safeguarding of confidentiality when researchers access the records.
Problem: Render large-scale population studies impossible and eliminate access to previously collected data

B. Two proposals are described, and a benefit common to both is identified.
C. A proposal is described, and a correction is suggested.
D. A warning is made about two proposals, and a third proposal adopts the best features of each.
E. Two proposals are contrasted, and a third is alluded to.

GDT · Answer

1. The passage is chiefly concerned with

A. arguing that individuals’ privacy is insignificant compared to continuing progress in human genetic research  Incorrect. Passage doesn't say that one is more important over the other 
B. claiming that human genetic information should not be regulated  The passage doesn't say that info. should not be regulated, otherwise it wouldn't have given a better approach to ensure privacy 
C. demonstrating the benefits of genetic research  This is clearly not the only purpose 
D. advocating protection of individual privacy with respect to genetic information  The main concern is not to advocate privacy 
E. recommending a method of controlling access to genetic information so that its benefits can be realized   Correct. By doing so, both privacy & research will be taken care of

2. The author most probably mentions several specific types of health issues in the second sentence of the passage in order to

The main purpose of making that statement is to show that genetic research in such significant diseases can be of immense help
 
A. encourage scientists to direct their attention to the core factors underlying human ailments  This is not the purpose 
B. suggest the necessity of regulation to limit environmental exposure to chemicals and ionizing radiation  Incorrect 
C. identify those illnesses caused by high levels of exposure to chemicals and ionizing radiation  Incorrect. It is not mentioned what specifically causes these illnesses 
D. emphasize the importance of genetic research to addressing significant human problems   Correct. This is the main purpose of the statement  
E. identify those health issues that can be be triggered by relatively low levels of exposure to chemicals and ionizing radiation  Incorrect. It is not mentioned what specifically causes these illnesses

3. It can be inferred that the proposal described in the second sentence of paragraph 2 would be ineffective because it would

para 2 lists out proposals which are aimed at Privacy protection and mentions their drawbacks w.r.t. to genetic research

A. compromise the privacy of test subjects  Incorrect 
B. eliminate a condition necessary for successful research   Correct. We can infer this from the following quote in which it is said that by making the information anonymous it becomes difficult to establish link b/w genetics and environmental influences.  
C. render the study of human genetics impossible  Incorrect 
D. require generalizing from the experience of individual patients  Incorrect 
E. violate the provisions of the Genetic Privacy Act  Incorrect

4. Which of the following best describes the structure of the second paragraph of the passage?

A. Two proposals described, and the shortcomings of each are identified.   Correct  
B. Two proposals are described, and a benefit common to both is identified.  Incorrect. No benefit common to both is identified 
C. A proposal is described, and a correction is suggested.  Incorrect. correction is suggested in para 3  
D. A warning is made about two proposals, and a third proposal adopts the best features of each.  Incorrect 
E. Two proposals are contrasted, and a third is alluded to.  Incorrect

bM22 · Answer

1. The passage is chiefly concerned with

A. arguing that individuals’ privacy is insignificant compared to continuing progress in human genetic research
B. claiming that human genetic information should not be regulated
C. demonstrating the benefits of genetic research
D. advocating protection of individual privacy with respect to genetic information
E. recommending a method of controlling access to genetic information so that its benefits can be realized -  Correct

Correct Answer E
Explanation: Option E is mostly what the author discusses in passage, as to how the genetic information can be managed so that the benefits of genetic research can be utilized.
Option A: Incorrect, as author is not arguing,that, he just mentions the claim like: "A barrier looms, however, that could block the large population studies needed to answer questions about environmental exposure and its impact: ill-conceived proposals at the state and national levels aimed at protecting the confidentiality of genetic information."
Option B: Incorrect since the author is suggested that the information should be regulated.
Option C: author does not discuss the same, since passage is about utilizing genetic information, and how can it be better utilized for genetic research.
Option D: its discussed but is not the chief concern of the passage.

2. The author most probably mentions several specific types of health issues in the second sentence of the passage in order to

A. encourage scientists to direct their attention to the core factors underlying human ailments
B. suggest the necessity of regulation to limit environmental exposure to chemicals and ionizing radiation
C. identify those illnesses caused by high levels of exposure to chemicals and ionizing radiation
D. emphasize the importance of genetic research to addressing significant human problems
E. identify those health issues that can be be triggered by relatively low levels of exposure to chemicals and ionizing radiation.  Correct

Correct Answer: E
Explanation: - E is correct as it mentioned in the passage: "Now, with improved capabilities to distinguish patterns of gene and protein expression through microarray assays and proteomic studies, researchers should be able to better assess the effects of everyday exposure to chemicals and to ionizing radiation, particularly in individuals with genetic susceptibility."
Option A: incorrect, as out of scope. 
Option B: incorrect as in the passage its not mentioned that these diseases are being studied for limiting exposure to chemicals and ionizing radiation.
Option C: Incorrect, as its clearly mentioned in the passage: "Health issues such as coronary disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and neurological disorders are influenced by both genetics and environmental factors. The latter influence has been studied, to date, only at unusually high levels of exposure."
Option D: Incorrect, as it is a more generalized answer as compared to E, which is more precise and is discussed as it is the passage.

3. It can be inferred that the proposal described in the second sentence of paragraph 2 would be ineffective because it would

A. compromise the privacy of test subjects
B. eliminate a condition necessary for successful research
C. render the study of human genetics impossible
D. require generalizing from the experience of individual patients.  Correct 
E. violate the provisions of the Genetic Privacy Act

Correct Answer: D
Explanation: as its mentioned in the passage: "While this solution appears to be a straightforward way to ensure patient confidentiality, anonymous databases preclude researchers from being able to conduct studies that link genetics to environmental influences."
Option A: incorrect, as the proposal mentioned in the passage was suggested so the privacy od the test subjects could not be compromised.
Option B: incorrect, not mentioned in the passage.
Option C: incorrect, as this would not stop the study of genetics.
Option E: incorrect, out of scope w.r.t the question.

4. Which of the following best describes the structure of the second paragraph of the passage?

A. Two proposals are described, and the shortcomings of each are identified. - Correct

B. Two proposals are described, and a benefit common to both is identified.
C. A proposal is described, and a correction is suggested.
D. A warning is made about two proposals, and a third proposal adopts the best features of each.
E. Two proposals are contrasted, and a third is alluded to.

Correct Answer: A
Explanation: its can be clearly inferred from the passage that 2 proposals are mentioned and their shortcomings are identified.
Option B: incorrect, as the benefit of none of the proposal is mentioned.
Option C: no correction is suggested, only 2 proposals have been described with their shortcomings.
Option D: could be, but the 3rd proposal is not discussed in the 2nd paragraph.
Option E: the 2 proposals are discussed, they are not contrasted.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

OAs of this RC will be automatically revealed within an hour, i have turn off the competition mode.

1. E
2. D
3. B
4. A

This was not that tough RC so pretty straight forward answers.

kris19
abcdddddd
Gautam12121991

You are all on top here and GDT is at second for this RC.

TarPhi · Answer

SajjadAhmad  - Can you please let me know what is the difference between these two options in Q3?

B. eliminate a condition necessary for successful research
C. render the study of human genetics impossible

I chose B but was very sure it was wrong.

Technically, if a condition necessary for successful research is eliminated, the study of human genetics will be rendered impossible, right? Hence I presumed B was incomplete.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

3. It can be inferred that the proposal described in the second sentence of paragraph 2 would be ineffective because it would

Difficulty Level:   600

Explanation

Identify the question type

This Inference question asks why the author disagrees with the proposal in the indicated section.

Research relevant text

The sentence describes a particular proposal. The context is important, so read the sentence immediately following the highlighted text:  "While this solution appears to be a straightforward way to ensure patient confidentiality, anonymous databases preclude researchers from being able to conduct studies that link genetics to environmental influences.”

Predict the answer

The author states that researchers could not conduct certain studies if the proposal for anonymous databases were enacted. The correct answer will be some variation on this idea.

Evaluate the choices

(B)  matches the prediction and is the correct answer.

(A)  is a 180, as this is the opposite of what the proposal intends to do.

(C)  might be tempting, but the author doesn't claim all human genetic study would be impossible—rather, he says that certain types of studies would be precluded. So  (C)  is extreme and incorrect.

The practice of generalizing from individual experiences,  choice (D) , is not supported by anything in the passage.

(E)  is incorrect because the content of this proposal does not conflict with any of the stated provisions of the Genetic Privacy Act; rather, the proposal and act share similar goals. Furthermore, the Genetic Privacy Act is described as a proposed law, not a law already in force, so it would not be possible to  "violate"  it.

TAKEAWAY:   If a choice takes a stronger position or goes further than the author does, check for another, more moderate answer.

Hope it helps

VerbalBot · Answer

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The publication of a substantially complete human genome sequence has

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The publication of a substantially complete human genome sequence has

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