LSAT 115 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q22

LR Question 22 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: The relaxation of regulations governing the manufacture…

QUESTION TYPE: Role in Argument

CONCLUSION: We should be careful not to lift all regulations on industrial activity generally, even though we are relaxing restrictions on the manufacture of pharmaceuticals.

REASONING: Regulations are necessary to prevent pollution. Pollution could cause many species of plants and animals to become extinct. Since many pharmaceuticals come from plants and animals, relaxed regulations could result in fewer pharmaceuticals. This would undermine the original intent of regulatory relaxation.

ANALYSIS: This argument links together several things which, at first glance, seem unrelated: pharmaceutical manufacturing, general manufacturing, endangered species.

The sentence in question clears up the link between all three: if we allow industrial activity to endanger some plants and animals, we risk endangering the production of new pharmaceuticals.

___________

1. We’re not talking about restricting research: we’re talking about restricting manufacturing.
2. The sentence in question actually supports the argument, helping prove that harmful consequences would result if too many regulations were removed.
3. The argument is in favor of regulation, not against it.
4. CORRECT. Yes. This shows why you should care about plants, even if your only concern is about pharmaceutical availability.
5. This is a very general statement, and the argument is rather specific to pharmaceutical regulations. We don’t know exactly how many regulations the author would say should be kept and how many should be removed.

Recap: The question begins with “The relaxation of regulations governing the manufacture”. It is a Role in Argument question. Learn more about LSAT Role questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.