Multiple choice

A genetically modified version of cotton plant has been experimented at several farms this year in Bathinda region to ward off pest attacks on the crop. The scientists who have made the version of cotton claimed that the recent decrease in pest attacks in those farms shows that the genetically modified crops help counter pest attacks on crops.

Which of the following, if true, would cast the greatest doubt on the scientists' claim?

  1. The recent decrease in pest attacks in those farms was not as successful as expected of the results from such plants.

  2. A genetically modified plant would ultimately be finished after yielding a crop. So, new genetically modified plants would need to be added to the farms every three months to get a new crop.

  3. A genetically modified crop hormone produced using different methods, which the scientists had developed at an earlier period, was ineffective in warding off pest attacks.

  4. The recent lack of pest attacks in those farms is the same as the recent lack of pest attacks in other farms of the same region which didn’t use genetically modified plants.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The conclusion is that the genetically modified cotton plants caused the decrease in number of pest attacks. To weaken this, look for another cause. This shows that the pest attacks were averted even in those farms, which didn’t grow those crops.

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