RC - conclusion

[karthikpandian19]

Products containing antimicrobials are often touted as cleansers and can be found in the antibacterial soaps and solutions used in schools and places of business; they are also crucial ingredients in the antibiotic medications relentlessly prescribed by medical professionals. Concerned scientists, however, have begun to lobby for improved regulations governing the use of these antimicrobials in medicines and cleaning products, arguing that inappropriate reliance on these compounds has contributed to the emergence of strains of drug- and chemical-resistant bacteria. Still, many school and hospital administrators continue to stress the importance of protecting students and patients from bacterial infection. They refer to studies that suggest that antibacterial cleaning and hygiene products are, in fact, not influential in the development of resistant bacteria and are essential for protection against illness-causing microorganisms.

Much of the debate over antimicrobial use has centered on Triclosan, the primary active ingredient in many antibacterial products. Triclosan's ability to control bacterial contamination by targeting the fatty acid synthesis of bacterial cells has made it an attractive addition to cleaning products. The effectiveness of Triclosan as an antibiotic is not a point of dispute; the real controversy involves the potential negative consequences of excessive use of such products. A chief concern for scientists is that over-use of Triclosan will aid in the development of highly resistant strains of bacteria, as has already been observed in the case of drug-resistant tuberculosis. Supporters of extensive antimicrobial use, meanwhile, deny the existence of evidence that links Triclosan to the development of such "supergerms."

Convincing arguments against Triclosan proliferate: the compound has begun to appear in community water supplies, human breast milk, oceans and decade-old sewage. Scientists worry about the long-term ramifications of Triclosan ingestion, particularly because treatment plants have not yet been able to guard against Triclosan contamination in water sources. The most significant support for this cautionary stance comes from a study conducted at the University of Public Health, where it was found that plain soaps--those that lack antimicrobial agents--remove the threat of bacteria just as effectively as the consumer-grade antibacterial varieties. Furthermore, these studies report that using plain soaps allows non-illness-causing bacteria on skin and other surfaces to successfully compete and protect against those bacteria that do cause illness.

The passage suggests which of the following is true regarding the use of Triclosan in antimicrobial products?


(A) Although Triclosan use is controversial, so far it has been the most effective compound in protecting us from illness-causing microorganisms.

(B) Antimicrobial products that make use of Triclosan are the leading cause of the emergence of drug- and chemical-resistant bacteria.

(C) Triclosan use in antimicrobial products leads to trace amounts of triclosan ingestion that, while not fully understood in terms of its effects, will ultimately be detrimental to human health.

(D) Dangerous side effects due to the overuse of Triclosan may trump its effectiveness as an antibiotic in schools and hospitals.

(E) There is no reliable evidence that links Triclosan use to the development of "supergerms."

[Birottam Dutta]

The passage suggests which of the following is true regarding the use of Triclosan in antimicrobial products?


(A) Although Triclosan use is controversial, so far it has been the most effective compound in protecting us from illness-causing microorganisms. This is not suggested but rather explicitly written, we have to look for an inference

(B) Antimicrobial products that make use of Triclosan are the leading cause of the emergence of drug- and chemical-resistant bacteria. Again not suggested but mentioned

(C) Triclosan use in antimicrobial products leads to trace amounts of triclosan ingestion that, while not fully understood in terms of its effects, will ultimately be detrimental to human health. This is suggested and we can check the same from the first sentence of third para

(D) Dangerous side effects due to the overuse of Triclosan may trump its effectiveness as an antibiotic in schools and hospitals. We do not know if excessive use will trump its effectiveness.

(E) There is no reliable evidence that links Triclosan use to the development of "supergerms."This is not correct as the last part of the passage provides a direct relation between the drug resistant bacteria and the anti-microbials

OA?

[karthikpandian19]

OA is D

[karthikpandian19]

This question requires the reader to identify a conclusion that can be drawn about the use of Triclosan in antimicrobial products.

Triclosan's effectiveness is not disputed by the passage. However, the overuse of Triclosan, and its potential negative effects, is of concern. The second paragraph states: The effectiveness of Triclosan as an antibiotic is not a point of dispute; the real controversy involves the potential negative consequences of excessive use of such products. The third paragraph, which highlights some of the drawbacks of using Triclosan and mentions that "plain soaps" are just as effective at cleaning surfaces, suggests that though Triclosan is an effective antibiotic, it should perhaps not be used.

Choice D is correct. The effectiveness of Triclosan is not in question, but possible dangerous side effects are mentioned. The passage suggests, therefore, that these side effects "may trump its effectiveness as an antibiotic in schools and hospitals."

Choice A starts with a valid statement-the use of Triclosan is "controversial." However the claim in the next clause is not supported by the passage. No other specific antimicrobial compounds are discussed or compared to Triclosan. In fact, the last few sentences of the passage contradict this answer choice by saying that "plain soaps" remove the threat of bacteria just as effectively as the consumer-grade antibacterial varieties. This would indicate that Triclosan is not the "most effective compound in protecting us from illness-causing microorganisms."

Choice B asks us to make an unwarranted assumption. Just because the passage mentions that Triclosan is thought by some scientists to be a contributing factor in the development of of drug- and chemical-resistant bacteria, it is not reasonable to assume that it is the "leading cause" of this problem.

Choice C is too extreme to be a valid inference. Although the passage states that scientists worry about the long-term ramifications of Triclosan ingestion, this does not suggest that in fact triclosan ingestion "will ultimately be detrimental to human health."

Choice E is tempting because the passage does not actually mention any particular evidence that links Triclosan to the development of "supergerms," and it specifically states that supporters of extensive antimicrobial use deny the existence of any such evidence. However, it is reasonable to conclude that if two opposing opinions of an issue are presented and neither is dismissed by the author, it would be too extreme to assume that one side of the issue is completely without evidence.

Choice D is correct.