NIELIT 2016 MAR Scientist B - Section A: 9

Question

The Pacific yew is an evergreen tree that grows in the Pacific Northwest. The Pacific yew has a fleshy, poisonous fruit. Recently, taxol, a substance found in the bark of the Pacific yew, was discovered to be a promising new anticancer drug. Given the information presented, which statement could be considered true?

• A. Taxol is poisonous when taken by healthy people.
• B. Taxol has cured people from various diseases.
• C. People should not eat the fruit of the Pacific yew.
• D. The Pacific yew was considered worthless until taxol was discovered.

Answer 1

Given the information presented, the only statement that could be considered true is that the fruit should not be eaten because it is poisonous. There is no support that taxol is poisonous or that taxol has cured anyone (choices a and b). There is no support for choice d.

So, the correct answer is $(C).$