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Which one of the following, if true, would most strengthen an argument of the opponents of rDNA technology? (A) Agricultural products developed through rDNA technology are no more attractive to consumers than are traditional crops. (B) Genetically altered microorganisms have no natural predators but can prey on a wide variety of other microorganisms. (C) Drugs produced using rDNA technology cost more to manufacture than drugs produced with traditional technologies. (D) Ecosystems are impermanent systems that are often liable to collapse, and occasionally do so. (E) Genetically altered microorganisms generally cannot survive for more than a few hours in the natural environment.

Short Answer

Expert verified
(B) strengthens the argument by highlighting environmental risks.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Opponents' Argument

Opponents of rDNA technology are generally concerned about the potential risks and unforeseen consequences this technology might have on the environment, agriculture, and public health. Therefore, the strengthening statement must highlight a significant risk or drawback related to these areas.
02

Evaluate Each Option

Go through each option to determine its impact on the strength of the opponents' argument: - (A) suggests no consumer preference, which doesn't directly strengthen concerns about risk or danger. - (B) implies that genetically altered microorganisms could disrupt natural ecosystems due to lack of predators, supporting potential environmental harm. - (C) focuses on cost, which does not address concerns related to risks or dangers. - (D) discusses general ecosystem instability, which is unrelated to the specific effects of rDNA technology. - (E) indicates genetically altered microorganisms die quickly in nature, potentially diminishing environmental risk concerns.
03

Select the Most Impactful Option

Based on the analysis, option (B) is the most impactful because it directly addresses possible risks associated with rDNA technology by suggesting that altered microorganisms could lead to environmental harm due to their ability to prey broadly without being preyed upon.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

rDNA Technology
Recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology is a fascinating field that involves the manipulation of genetic material. It allows scientists to create new combinations of DNA sequences that do not occur naturally. These sequences can be inserted into organisms to give them new traits or capabilities. This technology has been instrumental in advancing medicine, agriculture, and industrial applications. However, despite its benefits, it comes with certain concerns regarding its impact on the environment and public health.

This process starts with identifying a useful gene, isolating it, and integrating it into the host organism's DNA. By doing this, scientists can make plants resistant to pests, produce insulin in bacteria, or create new vaccines. The great potential of rDNA technology lies in its ability to solve many global challenges. Yet, it's crucial to consider ethical and safety issues to ensure its responsible use.
Environmental Impact
The introduction of organisms with genetically modified DNA into the environment has sparked significant debate about potential impacts. One concern is the unpredictability of these organisms in natural ecosystems. They may disrupt existing balances by outcompeting native species or introducing novel diseases. In particular, these concerns are heightened when genetically altered microorganisms are involved.

These organisms might have unintended interactions with other living organisms, potentially leading to ecological imbalances. For instance, if they lack natural predators, as suggested in option (B) of the original exercise, they might proliferate uncontrollably. Such scenarios could lead to adversities for natural habitats and biodiversity. Efforts need to be placed on thoroughly assessing these risks before releasing modified organisms into the wild.
Genetically Altered Microorganisms
Genetically altered microorganisms (GAMs) are microorganisms that have been modified using rDNA technology to express desired traits. These traits may range from enhanced production of substances like insulin or enzymes to improved resilience against environmental stressors. Despite their potential advantages, GAMs pose unique challenges and threats, particularly when they escape into the natural environment.

The primary concern is their adaptability and capacity for growth without natural constraints. This lack of predators or competition, addressed in the original exercise, could lead to their success over native microorganisms, which might result in unforeseen ecological disruptions. Thus, understanding and managing the consequences of introducing these microorganisms into the environment are critical to minimize negative impacts.
Public Health Concerns
Public health concerns surrounding rDNA technology mainly focus on safety and the possible long-term consequences of its applications. While this technology holds promise for advancing healthcare, such as developing more effective drugs and vaccines, it also raises questions about the potential adverse effects.

One worry is that genetically altered organisms used in consumer products or food could cause allergic reactions or other health problems. Additionally, there are fears about the development of antibiotic resistance if these organisms were to exchange genes with pathogenic bacteria. For these reasons, rigorous testing and regulatory measures are essential to ensure that rDNA technology advances public health without compromising safety.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Nutritionists have recommended that people eat more fiber. Advertisements for a new fiber-supplement pill state only that it contains "44 percent fiber." The advertising claim is misleading in its selection of information on which to focus if which one of the following is true? (A) There are other products on the market that are advertised as providing fiber as a dietary supplement. (B) Nutritionists base their recommendation on medical findings that dietary fiber protects against some kinds of cancer. (C) It is possible to become addicted to some kinds of advertised pills, such as sleeping pills and painkillers. (D) The label of the advertised product recommends taking 3 pills every day. (E) The recommended daily intake of fiber is 20 to 30 grams, and the pill contains one-third gram.

Many environmentalists have urged environmental awareness on consumers, saying that if we accept moral responsibility for our effects on the environment, then products that directly or indirectly harm the environment ought to be avoided. Unfortunately it is usually impossible for consumers to assess the environmental impact of a product, and thus impossible for them to consciously restrict their purchases to environmentally benign products. Because of this impossibility there can be no moral duty to choose products in the way these environmentalists urge, since Which one of the following principles provides the most appropriate completion for the argument? (A) a moral duty to perform an action is never based solely on the effects the action will have on other people (B) a person cannot possibly have a moral duty to do what he or she is unable to do (C) moral considerations should not be the sole determinants of what products are made available to consumers (D) the morally right action is always the one whose effects produce the least total harm (E) where a moral duty exists, it supersedes any legal duty and any other kind of duty

For the claim that the concern expressed by the so-called environmentalists is not their real concern to be properly drawn on the basis of the evidence cited, which one of the following must be assumed? (A) Not every development proposal opposed in recent years by these so-called environmentalists was opposed because they believed it to (B) pose a threat to the environment. (B) People whose real agenda is to block development wherever it is proposed always try to disguise their true motives. (C) Anyone who opposes unrestricted development is an opponent of progress. (D) The council has no reason to object to the proposed Golden Lake Development other than concern about the development's effect on bird- migration patterns. (E) When people say that they oppose a development project solely on environmental grounds, their real concern almost always lies elsewhere.

If Thelma sits next to Ivan, and if Frank sits next to Thelma, which one of the following statements could be false? (A) Both Frank and Ivan sit east of Ruby. (B) Both Frank and Ruby sit west of Thelma. (C) Both Frank and Sylvia sit east of Ruby. (D) Both Frank and Thelma sit west of Sylvia. (E) Both Frank and Ruby sit west of Joel.

Most disposable plastic containers are now labeled with a code number (from 1 to 9 ) indicating the type or quality of the plastic. Plastics with the lowest code numbers are the easiest for recycling plants to recycle and are thus the most likely to be recycled after use rather than dumped in landfills. Plastics labeled with the highest numbers are only rarely recycled. Consumers can make a significant long-term reduction in the amount of waste that goes unrecycled, therefore by refusing to purchase those products packaged in plastic containers labeled with the highest code numbers. Which one of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the conclusion above? (A) The cost of collecting, sorting, and recycling discarded plastics is currently higher than the cost of manufacturing new plastics from virgin materials. (B) Many consumers are unaware of the codes that are stamped on the plastic containers. (C) A plastic container almost always has a higher code number after it is recycled than it had before recycling because the recycling process causes a degradation of the quality of the plastic. (D) Products packaged in plastics with the lowest code numbers are often more expensive than those packaged in the higher-numbered plastics. (E) Communities that collect all discarded plastic containers for potential recycling later dump in landfills plastics with higher-numbered codes only when it is clear that no recycler will take them.

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