McKinley's point is that they will be unable to perform the study on the new drug because "the drug will have various effects on the patients' bodies, which will make us aware of whether the patients are getting the drug or a placebo."
Engle misinterprets McKinley's remarks to mean that McKinley is stating that the researchers know the therapeutic effects of the new drug. But, McKinley is actually saying that they are aware of the side effects of the drug. McKinley is merely pointing out that once the side effects begin to occur, the study will no longer be blind.
A drug has only therapeutic effects and side effects. Remember, the drug is being tested to see what its therapeutic effects are--so the researchers are not certain of the therapeutic effect. However, what is known for certain is that the drug has "various effects on the patients' bodies," i.e. side effects that will signal to the researchers that the patient is taking the drug.
Hope that clears things up! Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Julie-VAugust 19, 2019
Can you explain why (C) is incorrect?
Also, is a drug having only therapeutic and side effects supposed to be common knowledge? I specifically avoided (D) due to its use of the word "therapeutic" because I didn't know it meant the end results.
Thanks!
RaviAugust 19, 2019
@Julie-V,
Let's look at (C).
(C) says, "presuming that the placebo will produce no effects whatever on the patients’ bodies"
Engle does not believe that McKinley is saying that the placebo will not have any effects; rather, Engle simply thinks that McKinley has already concluded that the drug will be effective. Engle's issue pertains to thoughts about the actual drug, not the placebo, so this is why we can get rid of (C).
Regarding (D), because McKinley is discussing effects on the body, Engle is assuming that McKinley is referring to the drug's intended effects (i.e., the therapeutic effects) rather than to the side effects, which could still happen even if the drug does not work. This is why (D) accurately describes the flaw.
With a drug, it can either produce effects or not produce effects. If it produces effects, the effects are either positive (therapeutic) or negative (side effects).
Does that make sense? Let us know if you have any other questions!
