PrepTest 90+, Section 4, Question 13
Medical researcher: A new screening test detects certain polyps at such an early stage that it is generally unclear whether the polyps are malignant. But the risk that a polyp might be malignant leads doctors, in most cases, to have such polyps surgically removed, which is a dangerous process. Yet some of those polyps turn out not to be malignant. Thus, the new screening test can prompt dangerous operations that actually are not medically necessary.
Medical researcher: A new screening test detects certain polyps at such an early stage that it is generally unclear whether the polyps are malignant. But the risk that a polyp might be malignant leads doctors, in most cases, to have such polyps surgically removed, which is a dangerous process. Yet some of those polyps turn out not to be malignant. Thus, the new screening test can prompt dangerous operations that actually are not medically necessary.
Medical researcher: A new screening test detects certain polyps at such an early stage that it is generally unclear whether the polyps are malignant. But the risk that a polyp might be malignant leads doctors, in most cases, to have such polyps surgically removed, which is a dangerous process. Yet some of those polyps turn out not to be malignant. Thus, the new screening test can prompt dangerous operations that actually are not medically necessary.
Medical researcher: A new screening test detects certain polyps at such an early stage that it is generally unclear whether the polyps are malignant. But the risk that a polyp might be malignant leads doctors, in most cases, to have such polyps surgically removed, which is a dangerous process. Yet some of those polyps turn out not to be malignant. Thus, the new screening test can prompt dangerous operations that actually are not medically necessary.
Which one of the following is an assumption that the medical researcher's argument requires?
A surgical operation that is dangerous is ethically justified only for treating a medical condition that is more dangerous.
Surgical removal of nonmalignant polyps detected by the new screening test is not always medically necessary.
If the new screening test encourages medically unnecessary operations, then probably it either should not be used or its use should be modified.
A polyp detected by the new screening test should be surgically removed if it is malignant.
The screening test is medically useful only when it detects a polyp that requires treatment.
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