Geneticists say that they are very close to confirming the genetic roots of psychiatric illnesses such as depression and schizophrenia, and consequently, that doctors will be able to eradicate these diseases through early identification and gene therapy.
On which of the following assumptions does the statement above rely?
A. Strategies are now available for eliminating psychiatric illnesses
B. Certain psychiatric diseases have a genetic basis and how they are expressed
C. In the future, genetics will be the only relevant field for identifying psychiatric diseases
D. Strategies for gene therapy will soon be available to eradicate psychiatric illnesses
GATE 2014 · General Aptitude · Verbal Reasoning · medium
Answer: B. Certain psychiatric diseases have a genetic basis and how they are expressed
Identify the argument structure: The passage argues: if genetic roots of psychiatric illness can be confirmed, then early genetic identification and gene therapy will allow eradication. This chain of logic requires the foundational assumption that the diseases do have a genetic basis determining their expression.
Evaluate each option as an assumption: A: 'Strategies are now available' — overstates current readiness; passage uses future tense. B: 'Diseases have genetic basis and expression' — this is exactly what the argument assumes (currently being confirmed). C: 'Genetics is the ONLY relevant field' — overstatement not implied by the passage. D: 'Strategies for gene therapy will soon be available' — this is more of a prediction/conclusion than an underlying assumption.