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.
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Many Americans who are highly religious and identify with certain Christian traditions express discomfort with human enhancement.
Americans regard advances in artificial intelligence and human enhancement technologies with a degree of caution and uncertainty.
Public views are tied to how these technologies would be used and what constraints would be in place.
Majorities say scientific research on gene editing is a misuse – rather than an appropriate use – of technology. But public acceptance of gene editing for babies depends on how it will be used, and views often differ by age and religion.
Americans’ concerns about animal biotechnology focus on risks to animals, humans and the ecosystem.
About half of Americans believe that within the next 50 years science will find a way to eliminate virtually all birth defects through gene editing. Yet majorities of Americans harbor at least some reservations about the impact on society of more widespread use of gene editing.
Americans are more likely to anticipate negative than positive effects from widespread use of gene-editing technology
The U.S. public has mixed views on using gene editing to reduce babies’ risk of serious diseases, with parents of children younger than 18 especially wary.
A new gene-editing method called CRISPR exemplifies how the technology is rapidly becoming a present-day reality. Yet, Americans are wary of editing embryos, according to a survey on the broader field of “human enhancement.”
Americans are more worried than enthusiastic about using gene editing, brain chip implants and synthetic blood to change human capabilities
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