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Difficulty: HardWeakening Arguments

To reduce losses caused by the invasive root-knot nematode, agricultural authorities in Southland introduced a genetically modified soybean strain that produces a nematode-repelling compound in its root exudates. Field trials in pilot regions showed a 40 percent decrease in root damage and a corresponding 25 percent increase in crop yields compared to conventional fields. Consequently, the authorities plan to mandate nationwide commercial planting of this modified strain to boost national agricultural exports.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the agricultural authorities' argument?

  1. A
    Conventional soybean farmers in neighboring regions have successfully controlled root-knot nematode populations using multi-year crop rotation techniques rather than genetic modification.
  2. Major international buyers that purchase over 80 percent of Southland's soybean exports prohibit agricultural imports from nations where genetically modified crops are commercially cultivated.Answer
  3. C
    In the pilot field trials, the genetically modified soybean strain required significantly lower applications of synthetic chemical pesticides than conventional soybean varieties.
  4. D
    Root-knot nematodes also inflict substantial yield reductions on Southland's domestic corn and wheat crops.
  5. E
    Consumer preference for non-genetically modified foods within Southland's domestic retail markets has increased noticeably over the past decade.

Answer

The argument is most seriously weakened by the statement that major international buyers purchasing over 80 percent of Southland's soybean exports prohibit imports from nations commercially cultivating genetically modified crops.
The correct answer demonstrates that mandating nationwide planting of the genetically modified soybean will cause Southland's primary foreign buyers—who account for over 80 percent of soybean exports—to ban soybean imports from Southland. Even if domestic production yields increase, the inability to sell to major foreign markets directly defeats the conclusion that national exports will be boosted.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the premise and conclusion of the argument.
Premise: Pilot trials of a GM soybean strain reduced nematode root damage by 40% and increased crop yields by 25%. Conclusion: Mandating nationwide commercial planting of this GM strain will boost national agricultural exports.
Deconstructing the argument isolates the logical leap between higher physical yield in trials and the economic goal of increased exports.
2
Identify the implicit assumption and potential vulnerability.
The argument assumes that higher soybean yields will translate directly into higher export sales in international markets without regulatory or trade barriers.
Weakening questions require finding evidence that breaks the link between the premise (yield increase) and the conclusion (export boost).
3
Evaluate the choices to find the statement that undermines the conclusion.
The statement revealing that major international export buyers reject imports from countries commercially cultivating GM crops demonstrates that adopting the strain will block access to primary export markets, neutralizing any yield gains.
This directly defeats the stated objective of boosting national exports.

Key Concept

Identifying trade barriers or regulatory constraints that decouple physical crop yield increases from national economic export success.
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Weakening Arguments

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