LSAT 103 | Section 3 | Logical Reasoning: Q6

LR Question 6 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: First legislator: Medical research is predominantly done on groups…

QUESTION TYPE: Weaken

CONCLUSION: Male-female balance has nothing to do with science.

REASONING: No reasoning is given for this statement.

ANALYSIS: This seems like a bad argument. The legislator gives no evidence. Also, it’s common sense that men and different are physically different, so it’s plausible we react different to many health treatments or foods.

It’s easy to bring in outside considerations on this question. We tend to think men and women should be equal. But the legislator is quite specific: it’s scientifically irrelevant to study more women.

To counter his argument, we have to find a scientific reason why women must be included. Fortunately, that’s not hard to do.

___________

1. It doesn’t matter who supports research. If the second legislator is right that the male-female issue has no scientific effect, then there’s no reason to have more studies of women.
2. This doesn’t really do anything. Very few people are included in medical studies. And this provides both a benefit and a cost to those women that do participate.
3. This explains why fewer studies include women. But it doesn’t tell us whether we should change that practice.
4. This is irrelevant. If I told you that scientists train while wearing lab coats, does that mean that test subjects should all wear lab coats? There’s a difference between scientists and science.
5. CORRECT. If this is true, then we had better include more women if we want good science.

Recap: The question begins with “First legislator: Medical research is predominantly done on groups”. It is a Weaken question. Learn more about LSAT Weaken questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.