#7 - Scientist: In our study, chemical R did not cause

[brcibake]

I was between B An E but went with B. They both seem to be stating similar ideas. What makes E a stronger answer?
Thank you

[James Finch]

Hi BR,

The issue with answer choice (B) is that the statement about R not causing cancer in rats doesn't actually support the idea that we cannot extrapolate those results to humans. All it serves to do is give weak evidence that R might be safe for humans, because it has not caused cancer in rats.

Answer choice (E) correctly describes the statement as being used to warn against using it to draw the conclusion that R is safe for humans.

Hope this helps!

[EmilyLSAT22]

Hi, how does answer choice B not support the idea that the test results obtained from lab rats cannot be extrapolated to humans? Thank you!

[Emily Haney-Caron]

Hi Emily,

Take another look at the question for this one. You're being asked to identify the role played by that first sentence. It doesn't support the contention in B, because we don't have any idea whether chemical R causes cancer in humans. So, B can't be correct. Instead, knowing chemical R is safe for rats doesn't tell us one way or the other whether it is safe for humans.