Diseases have always plagued the earth’s living organisms. Scientists

Question

Diseases have always plagued the earth’s living organisms. Scientists believe that huge numbers of plant and animal diseases have developed and been eradicated naturally over time. This ongoing emergence and disappearance of diseases is ignored by those who blame the widespread incidence of cancer entirely upon man’s alteration of naturally occurring substances to, for instance, produce bigger and better food sources. For example, some claim that the use of hormones to increase meat production heightens the risk of cancer in people who eat meat. People who hold this view need to accept the fact that even if cancer was not such a prevalent disease, another disease would have arisen naturally to take its place.

Which one of the following identifies a flaw in the passage’s reasoning?

(A) The writer wrongly assumes that the use of hormones in meat production never has an effect upon people who eat meat.

(B) The writer ignores the fact that scientists are developing cures for some types of cancer.

(C) The writer does not consider the fact that a number of diseases have not yet been discovered.

(D) While the writer identifies a group that believes cancer is caused by man’s interference with natural forms of food production, he does not identify or recognize scientists who disagree with this contention.

(E) The author does not acknowledge that man’s alteration of naturally occurring substances might trigger the emergence of new diseases.

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

Official Explanation

The author seems to consider the emergence of new diseases as entirely independent of man’s use of technological advances. However, the implementation of scientific advances might impact the “ongoing emergence and disappearance of diseases.” Therefore, the flaw in the writer’s reasoning stems from his refusal to consider the possible impact of man’s alteration of naturally occurring substances upon the emergence of new diseases.  The correct answer is (E).

Selection (A) is tempting. However, the author disagrees with those who argue that man’s conduct is “entirely” responsible for the high incidence of cancer. Thus, he implies that man’s actions might have some role in the prevalence of cancer. There is nothing in the passage to indicate whether or not (B) is true, even though it is common knowledge that scientists are continually conducting cancer research. The LSAT test is designed so that outside knowledge is not needed to answer the questions. Rather, the questions should be answered solely on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage. Inadvertently, the LSAT authors might include a question that can be more readily answered with outside knowledge, but they make every effort to avoid that situation. With respect to (C), whether or not diseases have been discovered or not is irrelevant to the passage, and (D) is similarly irrelevant.

Hatakekakashi · Answer

premise - emergence and disappearance of diseases is ignored by people who believe cancer is manmade and they should understand that if not cancer something else would have taken its place

I feel D is the flaw that he doesn't consider people who believe that is not true, so cancer could be a naturally occurring disease and not man made

Regards, 
HK

Hatakekakashi · Answer

Bunuel  OE?

AnirudhaS · Answer

I feel the answer is E. 
Key word in E is "new"

(E) The author does not acknowledge that man’s alteration of naturally occurring substances might trigger the emergence of  new  diseases.

Hatakekakashi · Answer

the last line - another disease would have arisen naturally to take its place

doesn't this mean that the emergence of new diseases could be a possibility??

unraveled · Answer

Diseases have always plagued the earth’s living organisms. Scientists believe that huge numbers of plant and animal diseases have developed and been eradicated naturally over time. This ongoing emergence and disappearance of diseases is ignored by those who blame the widespread incidence of cancer entirely upon man’s alteration of naturally occurring substances to, for instance, produce bigger and better food sources. For example, some claim that the use of hormones to increase meat production heightens the risk of cancer in people who eat meat. People who hold this view need to accept the fact that even if cancer was not such a prevalent disease, another disease would have arisen naturally to take its place.

Which one of the following identifies a flaw in the passage’s reasoning?

(A) The writer wrongly assumes that the use of hormones in meat production  never has an effect  upon people who eat meat.

(B) The writer ignores the fact that scientists are developing cures for some types of cancer.

(C) The writer does not consider the fact that a number of diseases have not yet been discovered.

(D) While the writer identifies a group that believes cancer is caused by man’s interference with natural forms of food production, he does not identify or recognize scientists who disagree with this contention.

(E) The author does not acknowledge that man’s alteration of naturally occurring substances might trigger the emergence of new diseases

Only A and E make sense to me. 
A loses out since it considers the other side of the passage claim. The effect is there are people say but writer assuming that it is not the case is altogether a different issue.

Answer E.

Sans8 · Answer

KarishmaB  
I am stuck between C and E?
C says number of diseases have not yet been discovered.
And Passage says even if human didn't altered natural resources some other disease would've come, but what if those other disease is already there but not been discovered then we can reasonably say that man's alteration is adding extra pressure?

Pls suggest where am I wrong in my reasoning?

VerbalBot · Answer

Automated notice from GMAT Club VerbalBot: 

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

 This post was generated automatically.

Diseases have always plagued the earth’s living organisms. Scientists

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) Questions

Diseases have always plagued the earth’s living organisms. Scientists

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards