Highly religious Americans more skeptical of human enhancements such as brain implants, gene editing
Many Americans who are highly religious and identify with certain Christian traditions express discomfort with human enhancement.
Americans are divided by religion on who should get critical care if there is a shortage of ventilators
Who should be given priority if some hospitals do not have enough ventilators for all patients who need help breathing?
Public Views of Gene Editing for Babies Depend on How It Would Be Used
Americans are more likely to anticipate negative than positive effects from widespread use of gene-editing technology
Americans wary of using chip implants to boost brain power for the healthy
Thanks to scientific advancements, brain chip implants are already being tested in individuals to help them cope with an injury or ailment. But when it comes to the potential use of such implants to give an already healthy and capable person abilities that they do not currently have, Americans are more wary than enthusiastic. Some […]
American Voices on Ways Human Enhancement Could Shape Our Future
Focus group participants discuss biomedical developments that could boost the performance of people’s bodies and brains
Religion and Science
A majority of the public says science and religion often conflict, but people’s sense that they do seems to have less to do with their own religious beliefs than their perception of others' beliefs.
Americans, Politics and Science Issues
The general public’s political views are strongly linked to their attitudes on climate and energy issues. But politics is a less important factor on biomedical, food safety, space issues.
How Different Groups Think about Scientific Issues
Different demographic groups think differently about scientific issues. For example, those more likely to think genetically modified food is unsafe include women, African-Americans and Hispanics, and those without college degrees. Those more likely to say parents should be able to decide whether to vaccinate their children include younger adults, Republicans and independents.
Public and Scientists’ Views on Science and Society
Despite broadly similar views about the overall place of science in America, there are striking differences between the public and scientists’ views on a host of science-related issues.
Americans of all ages divided over doctor-assisted suicide laws
Brittany Maynard, a 29-year-old woman with terminal brain cancer, has gone public with her plans to take her own life. Most Americans say there are circumstances in which a patient should be allowed to die, but the public is split on laws about doctor-assisted suicide.
