You are reading an article in the newspaper regarding bpa (a chemical found in certain plastics), and whether this chemical causes cancer. at the end of the article, the journalist writes, "given that three independent studies have provided evidence that bpa is a carcinogen, this hypothesis is true and no more research is necessary. the public should avoid bpa-containing products at all costs." is there anything wrong with this statement?

Yes, in the statement of the journalist it is wrong to say that it is no necessary to research more.

Explanation:

Having three independent studies that provide evidence of the carcinogen properties of BPA is an important indicator that should be take into account for further studies but it is never enought the reserarch or the study in any field. Also because statisticly three studies are not representative to say that an "hypothesis is true and no more research is necessary".

In this case other researchers can investigate which products are more harmful or tend to increase the chance to get cancer, also you can study why BPA is a carcinogen, what can you change in its use or how long does this chemical add remains in the products you are consuming, or if it is harmful for other species, or if it contaminates water that can be latter drinked, you can make lots of questions that give you more information about this product and its effects.

So you can keep searching and find more information that corroborates what other researchers have expose or you can discover that is not the BPA but the reaction with some other compounds what makes it carcinogen, in that way you can change the point of view.

Why is this important? Because science is always asking questions, finding new information, changing paradigms, models, and in that way we discover that the earth is not flat and also that it is not in the middle of the solar system, nor in the middle of the galaxy.

the fossil record provides evidence of a common ancestor to many species.

more words for this could be abiotic and biotic

abiotic: living organisms within an ecosystem

biotic: non-living organisms within an ecosystem