Plant scientists have used genetic engineering on seeds to produce crop plants that are highly resistant to insect damage. Unfortunately, the seeds themselves are quite expensive, and the plants require more fertilizer and water to grow well than normal ones. Thus, for most farmers the savings on pesticides would not compensate for the higher seed costs and the cost of additional fertilizer. However, since consumer demand for grains, fruits, and vegetables grown without the use of pesticides continues to rise, the use of genetically engineered seeds of this kind is likely to become widespread.

In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first presents a development that the argument seeks to show will have certain disadvantages; the second is introduced as a consideration likely to offset one of those disadvantages.

(B) The first presents a development that the argument predicts will have a certain impact; the second acknowledges a consideration that weighs against that prediction.

(C) The first supplies a context for the argument; the second is a part of the evidence presented as support for the argument's conclusion.

(D) The first is evidence provided to support an intermediate conclusion that is drawn in support of the argument's main conclusion; the second is that intermediate conclusion.

(E) The first and the second each provide evidence in support of the argument's main conclusion.

Source: Question Pack 1.