Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Decide whether the drug is safe enough for use in humans
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Computers excel at repetitive, data-intensive tasks such as recording measurements, calculating totals, and producing summaries. However, research decisions in pharmacology also rely on scientific judgment, ethics, and regulatory standards. This question asks which activity a computer would be least able to perform autonomously during a preclinical animal study involving 1,000 rats.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Data capture and computation tasks are deterministic and well-suited to information systems. Determining whether a drug is safe for human use requires integrating multiple evidence streams (toxicology, pharmacokinetics, benefit–risk analysis), applying clinical and regulatory standards, and exercising expert judgment—areas where computers can assist but not replace accountable human decision-makers.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify tasks that are mechanical and data-driven (totals, logs, summaries).Recognize that these can be automated reliably by database and analytics programs.Contrast with the safety decision for humans, which depends on interpretation, context, and external standards beyond raw computation.Conclude that the safety decision is least suited to fully autonomous computer action.
Verification / Alternative check:
Standard research workflows use Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) for tracking and calculations, while Institutional Review Boards (IRB) and regulatory bodies require expert human oversight for safety determinations.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:
Confusing decision support (graphs, statistics) with decision making; computers assist but do not own ethical or regulatory responsibility.
Final Answer:
Decide whether the drug is safe enough for use in humans
Discussion & Comments