The Joyful Research Result: Tay-Sachs Carriers Protected Against Tuberculosis

What observation about the annual incidence of tuberculosis in subpopulation II could best support the researcher's claim that Tay-Sachs carriers are protected against the infectious disease tuberculosis (TB)?

Final Answer:

The incidence of tuberculosis in subpopulation II is lower than the incidence of TB in the general population. Option C is the best choice as it directly supports the researcher's claim.

Explanation:

To support the researcher's claim that Tay-Sachs carriers are protected against tuberculosis (TB), we need to find evidence that TB incidence is lower in subpopulation II. Option C, which states that the incidence of TB in subpopulation II is lower than in the general population, is the most relevant observation for several reasons.

First, if Tay-Sachs carriers in subpopulation II are indeed protected against TB, we would expect to see a lower incidence of TB in this group compared to the general population.

Second, option A (roughly equal incidence) and option B (greater incidence) do not provide direct support for the researcher's claim. If the incidence were roughly equal or greater, it wouldn't necessarily suggest protection against TB.

Third, option D compares TB incidence in subpopulation II to the incidence of Tay-Sachs disease in the general population, which is not directly relevant to the claim about TB protection.

In conclusion, option C is the best choice as it directly supports the researcher's claim that Tay-Sachs carriers in subpopulation II are protected against TB by stating that TB incidence is lower in this group compared to the general population.