AI and Human Enhancement: Americans’ Openness Is Tempered by a Range of Concerns
Public views are tied to how these technologies would be used and what constraints would be in place.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Public views are tied to how these technologies would be used and what constraints would be in place.
Majorities of Americans say the United States should prioritize the development of renewable energy sources and take steps toward the country becoming carbon neutral by the year 2050. But just 31% want to phase out fossil fuels completely, and many foresee unexpected problems in a major transition to renewable energy.
Majorities of Americans say the federal government, businesses and other actors are doing too little to reduce the effects of climate change.
One-in-ten U.S. adults say they have taken part in citizen science in the past year, and 26% say they have ever done so.
Majorities of Americans support an array of measures to address climate change but stop short of a full break with fossil fuels.
Americans’ expectations for the year ahead include an effective treatment or cure for COVID-19, as well as a vaccine to prevent the disease.
Black Americans stand out from other racial and ethnic groups in their attitudes toward key health care questions associated with the pandemic.
Views about the health effects of genetically modified foods grew more negative between 2016 and 2018 and have been steady since then.
In 2019, 74% of Americans said they had a mostly positive view of doctors; 68% had a mostly favorable view of medical research scientists.
As in 2016, 88% of U.S. adults say its benefits outweigh the risks. And the share who consider its preventive benefits to be “very high” rose by 11 points to 56%.
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