Q8 - Most plants have developed

[LSAT-Chang]

Hello!
I was contemplating between (A), (D) and (E) and ended up choosing (E) the correct answer but out of guess.

Could someone help me understand why (A) and (D) are weakeners?

This is my thought.. but not sure..

(A) - weakens because humans had millennia time to adapt to the natural pesticides, so we don't know if the synthetic pesticides will require more time for humans to adapt -- so the threat might not be so minimal at first. Or am I bringing another "time" assumption that I'm not supposed to?

(D) - weakens because it is saying that natural pesticides aren't harmful as synthetic pesticides.. right?

(E) - has no effect (thus correct answer) because chemical structures is out of scope? In fact, it might even strengthen since if the natural pesticide and synthetic pesticide have similar chemical structures, then maybe they are equally not harmful so the conclusion would hold (i.e. minimal additional threat by synthetic pesticide)

Please add/correct me if you have a better way of explaining the three choices above! Thanks!

[demetri.blaisdell]

Interesting question. You explanation of the right answer (E) is great. It either strengthens (if you assume there is a connection between chemical structure and toxicity) or has no effect.

(A) weakens because it shows us a difference between natural and synthetic pesticides. Natural pesticides have been around a long time and we are used to them (they aren't poisonous to us). We don't have any defenses built up for the new synthetic ones so they will be poisonous (don't worry about when we will develop resistances to them, that isn't really the issue).

(D) says natural pesticides are weaker than synthetic ones. Your explanation is right on.

Your explanations were good, just wanted to put the finishing touches. Let me know if you want to discuss any of this further.

Demetri

[LSAT-Chang]

Interesting question. You explanation of the right answer (E) is great. It either strengthens (if you assume there is a connection between chemical structure and toxicity) or has no effect.

(A) weakens because it shows us a difference between natural and synthetic pesticides. Natural pesticides have been around a long time and we are used to them (they aren't poisonous to us). We don't have any defenses built up for the new synthetic ones so they will be poisonous (don't worry about when we will develop resistances to them, that isn't really the issue).

(D) says natural pesticides are weaker than synthetic ones. Your explanation is right on.

Your explanations were good, just wanted to put the finishing touches. Let me know if you want to discuss any of this further.

Demetri

Thanks Demetri! I really appreciate it! =) no further questions!