Q13 - The proposed change to the patent system is bound

[agutman]

This argument starts with an opinion, followed by statements of fact that seem to either be background or support the opinion. Let’s diagram the core:

Researchers have a year between publication and patent, so results can be shared widely prior to patent application

A proposed change would have the application precede initial publication --> communication of discoveries would be delayed --> scientific research would be chilled

We have an intermediate conclusion that seems to make a lot of sense (if scientists must apply for a patent before they publish their results, communication of discoveries will be delayed). However, we’re not quite sure why that would lead to a chilling of scientific research _ there seems to be a bit of a logic leap here! Since this is a Sufficient Assumption question, there’s a good chance we’ll find exactly what we’re looking for in the answer choices. So, before we go in there, let’s quickly clarify what a good answer would look like: A delay in communication of discoveries would have a chilling effect on scientific research.
Ready? Go:

(A) if this were true it would actually weaken the conclusion _ more patents doesn’t seem like scientific research has been chilled.

(B) we don’t need this to be true (it’s neither a necessary nor a sufficient assumption).

(D) Doing something against the will of researchers won’t necessarily cause a chilling effect on scientific research.

(E) Changing rules that facilitate progress in scientific research won’t necessarily cause a chilling effect on scientific research.

(C)This is exactly what we were looking for!