Recently, reviewers of patent applications

Answer choices

1. A

   Correct76% picked this

   The restrictions the patent reviewers cited pertain only to domesticated

   Why this is right

   The restriction pertaining only to domesticated farm animals suggests that the rules disallowing patents for new animal varieties were misapplied. If the restrictions cited by the patent reviewers apply solely to domesticated farm animals, the genetically engineered mouse for lab use would not fall under this restriction. Thus, the patent reviewers' argument that the mouse is a new animal variety excluded from patents is weakened.

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

   76%
2. B

   No Impact2% picked this

   The university’s application for a patent for the genetically engineered mouse was the first such patent application

   This option provides extra information regarding the university's history with patent applications, specifically that it is their first such application. This doesn’t help to show that the ruling on animal variety rules was wrongly applied to the genetically engineered mouse.

   2%
3. C

   No Impact2% picked this

   The patent reviewers had reached the same decision on all previous patent requests for

   The fact that reviewers consistently reached the same decision on previous requests doesn't affect whether their interpretation and application of the rules regarding animal varieties was appropriate in this particular case. Consistency doesn't guarantee correctness, so this doesn't tell us anything about whether their decision has been correct in all these cases.

   2%
4. D

   No Impact5% picked this

   The patent reviewers had in the past approved patents for genetically

   This option highlights a decision pattern with plant patents, which doesn't directly relate to the question about animal varieties. The reviewer's approval of patents for genetically engineered plant varieties does not impact the argument about animal patents.

   5%
5. E

   Unclear Impact15% picked this

   The patent reviewers had previously decided against granting patents for new animal varieties that were developed through conventional breeding programs

   This answer distinguishes the reviewers' past decisions between conventionally bred and genetically engineered animals. However, it doesn't give us a clear foothold for arguing that, "since THIS time we're dealing with genetic engineering, not conventional breeding, you SHOULD grant the patent."

   15%