Multi-Source Reasoning - Multiple Choice

Which of the following pieces of information would, on its own, provide the strongest evidence that the health benefits of fish can outweigh the risks of mercury intake?

Incorrect.

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While this answer choice does provide evidence that health benefits outweigh the risks of mercury in this group of individuals, this is too specific of a study to apply to the general population.

Incorrect.

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The presence of selenium may actually offset mercury in certain species, but this does not apply to all fish intake containing mercury, nor does it account for the health benefits that outweigh the risks of mercury.

Incorrect.

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This might indicate that the data is relative to how old a fish may be that is consumed, but this could potentially make eating certain fish that live longer even riskier. In actuality, consumers do not know the age of the fish they eat. Thus, this may weaken the conclusion of the argument.

Correct!

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While this answer choice refers to consumption specifically by pregnant women, it demonstrates the negative impact that not eating fish has on early human development in general. Here, it is clear that the risks of not consuming fish may be even higher than risks associated with mercury intake.

Incorrect.

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This answer choice indicates that it is impossible to replace the omega-3's derived from fish with other food sources, but it does not specifically address any major health benefits of fish that would outweigh the risk of consuming mercury.

A study conducted on a group of individuals at risk for Alzheimer's demonstrated positive improvement in neurological capability despite an increased intake in mercury.

Selenium, a trace element found in some species of fish, can counteract the potentially harmful effects of mercury.

The amount of mercury contained in a fish is relative to its age, which can be difficult to determine in wild fish species, many of which can live for decades.

Children born to pregnant women who did not consume fish on average score lower on behavioral and intelligence tests.

While sources of other omega-3's exist in plants, their effect is not the same on the human body.