LSAT Explanation PT 34, S3, Q22: Viruses can have beneficial effects. For

LSAT Question Stem

If the statements above are true, then each of the following statements could also be true EXCEPT: 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Must Be False question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

This LSAT problem presents us with a Must Be False (MBF) question, which means we need to identify the answer choice that contradicts the information given in the passage. The passage discusses viruses and their potential to be beneficial or deadly to humans, as well as the role of random mutations in altering their effects. Let's analyze each answer choice in detail to determine which one must be false.

a) Random mutation makes some deadly viruses beneficial to humans.

This answer choice could be true, as it is the reverse of the statement in the passage that random mutations can make beneficial viruses deadly. The passage does not provide any information to negate this possibility, so we cannot conclude that this statement must be false.

b) Some organisms of greater complexity than viruses are no more likely than viruses to undergo significant alterations through random mutation.

This answer choice could also be true. The passage does not discuss the likelihood of random mutations occurring in viruses compared to more complex organisms. Therefore, we cannot conclude that this statement must be false.

c) Some microorganisms that are more complex than viruses are beneficial to humans.

This answer choice could be true as well. The passage states that some more complex microorganisms are deadly to humans, but it does not imply that all more complex microorganisms are harmful. It is possible that some of these more complex microorganisms are beneficial to humans, so we cannot conclude that this statement must be false.

d) Some viruses that fail to kill other viruses that are deadly to humans are nevertheless beneficial to humans.

This answer choice could be true. The passage does not provide any information that would contradict the possibility of a virus being beneficial to humans even if it fails to kill other deadly viruses. Therefore, we cannot conclude that this statement must be false.

e) No virus that is deadly to organisms of greater complexity than itself is beneficial to humans.

This answer choice must be false. The passage explicitly states that some viruses kill more complex microorganisms, some of which are deadly to humans. This means that there are viruses that are both deadly to more complex organisms and beneficial to humans. This directly contradicts the statement in this answer choice, making it the correct answer for this MBF question.

To summarize, the correct answer for this Must Be False question is answer choice (e), as it contradicts the information provided in the passage. The other answer choices could be true, as they do not conflict with the information given in the passage.