A student states that natural resources could be saved if people made everything they need in labs. What is the main problem with this idea
1. There are not enough synthetic resources yet to make what people need.
2. People might think it is fine to waste a lot of the materials since they just came from a lab.
3. The materials made in labs will still pollute the environment and destroy natural resources.
4. Anything made in the lab requires natural resources to produce it.
To identify the main problem with the idea that natural resources could be saved if people made everything they need in labs, we need to evaluate each statement and determine which one best captures the primary concern. Let's examine each option:
1. There are not enough synthetic resources yet to make what people need.
While this statement indicates a potential limitation, it does not directly address the main problem with the idea. It suggests that the lack of available synthetic resources could restrict the feasibility of producing everything in labs, but it does not highlight the central issue.
2. People might think it is fine to waste a lot of the materials since they just came from a lab.
This statement raises concerns about potential behavioral attitudes towards waste. If people perceive lab-produced materials as inexhaustible or less valuable, they might be prone to careless consumption and wastefulness. While this is a valid concern, it is not the main problem with the idea.
3. The materials made in labs will still pollute the environment and destroy natural resources.
This statement highlights a core issue with the idea. While lab-produced materials may alleviate some pressure on natural resources, the process of manufacturing them could contribute to other environmental issues, such as pollution. Therefore, even if natural resources are saved to some extent, the environmental impact persists and natural resources are still affected.
4. Anything made in the lab requires natural resources to produce it.
This statement indicates an essential fact. Lab-produced materials may require natural resources as input, whether directly or indirectly. Even if the behavior of wasting materials or environmental pollution is addressed, the fundamental reality remains that lab production relies on natural resources.
Based on the above analysis, option 4 is the statement that best represents the main problem with the idea of saving natural resources by producing everything in labs.