Recently, experienced scientists in public companies have resigned from their positions in record numbers to move to private companies. Therefore, experienced scientists who remain in public companies are now in high demand with those institutions.

Which one of the following, if true, most seriously challenges the claim made in the passage?

Public companies prefer to hire scientists from their own state.

Drastic cuts in funding for public companies, have led to elimination of many of the research posts previously held by the experienced researchers.

Some scientists have to shift their field of study after moving to private companies.

Public companies plan to train new scientists in an attempt to replace those who have moved to private companies.

None of these