Logical Reasoning

PT128 · S3 · Q17 Environmentalist: The United Kingdom recently

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Environmentalist: The United Kingdom recently instituted a law requiring that foods containing genetically altered ingredients be labeled accordingly.

Conclusion

Other countries contemplating such labeling should refrain, because it would necessitate production alternatives that are dangerous and pesticide intensive.

Evidence

The UK required labels on foods with genetically altered ingredients. Producers got rid of these ingredients because they feared consumers would see the labels as warnings.

Many genetically altered crops are pest-resistant, so without demand for these crops, alternative production methods would need to be used.

Evaluate

The environmentalist is concerned that labeling will lead to a drop in demand for genetically altered (a.k.a. pest-resistant) crops, pushing producers to switch to more dangerous, pesticide-heavy alternatives. How's the argument moving from "this happened in the UK" to "so you shouldn't do this elsewhere"?

The argument heavily relies on the assumption that what happened in the UK will also happen in other countries. If producers around the world react the same way as those in the UK, then the environmentalist's conclusion seems plausible.

Moreover, it assumes that consumers interpret these labels as warnings, prompting behavior changes—specifically avoiding the products.

Goal

Look for assumptions that either connect the UK experience with potential reactions in other countries or deal with consumer interpretation of labels as warnings.

17.

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the environmentalist's argument depends?

  1. In general, people interpret labels

    Alternative Considerations

    This is tempting. It addresses whether consumers view the labels as warnings which is an underlying thread. However, while it helps the argument, it's already wrapped into the initial setup explaining why UK producers reacted as they did.

    12% picked this

  2. Before the United Kingdom instituted

    Trap

    This choice isn’t necessary. It’s not crucial to the argument whether most foods contained altered ingredients before the law. The effects of the law are more pertinent.

    2% picked this

  3. Correct

    The reactions of food producers

    Why this is right

    The reactions of food producers in other countries to laws requiring labeling of foods containing genetically altered ingredients are likely to be similar to the reactions of food producers in the United Kingdom. This is what we'd expect. If negated, it would mean food producers in other countries might not react the same way, making the argument fall apart. The whole point is that the environmentalist is warning against similar labeling elsewhere due to predicted similar effects.

    Skill tested: Necessary Assumption · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

    70% picked this

  4. Warning labels on food products

    Trap

    This choice broadens the scope to warning labels generally, whereas the argument is specific to reactions to genetically altered labels. Not necessary for the conclusion.

    11% picked this

  5. Countries that institute new food

    Trap

    This choice talks about changes in consumer eating habits but doesn’t connect directly to the issue of producers switching to dangerous alternatives due to loss of demand for genetically altered crops.

    5% picked this

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