In a study, scientists compared the microbiomes of poorly nourished and well nourished infants and young children. Gut microbes were isolated from faecal samples of malnourished and healthy children. The microbiome was "immature" and less diverse in malnourished children compared to the better developed "mature" microbiome found in healthy children of the same age. According to some studies, the chemical composition of mother's milk has shown the presence of a modified sugar (sialylated oligosaccharides). This is not utilized by the baby for its own nutrition. However, the bacteria constituting the infant's microbiome thrive on this sugar which serves as their food. Malnourished mothers have low levels of this sugar in their milk. Consequently, the microbiomes of their infants fail to mature. That in turn, leads to malnourished babies. Which one of the following is the most logical, rational and crucial inference that can be derived from the above passage ?
If malnourished condition in children is caused by gut bacteria, it cannot be treated.
The guts of malnourished babies should be inoculated with mature microbiomes
Babies of malnourished mothers should be fed with dairy milk fortified with sialylated oligosaccharides instead of mother's milk.
Research on benign effects of gut bacteria on nutrition has policy implications
The correct answer is (c). Option (a) is incorrect because finding the cause can lead to treatment. Option (b) seems unlikely and is not mentioned in the passage. Option (c) appears plausible, although its technical correctness isn't explicitly stated. The issue with it lies in the phrase "instead of mother’s milk." Option (d) also seems logical, pertaining to policy choices regarding nutrition, but the passage doesn't hint at such governmental decisions; it solely discusses scientific aspects. Hence, option (c) is chosen over (d).
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