PEW study: Scientists think public is mostly dumb in science

William Atkins
Sunday, 12 July 2009 19:40

Science - Biology

The media coverage of science was also given either a “fair” or “poor” rating by these same scientists.

Some of the other results of the survey include:

•    84% of scientists say the Earth is getting warmer because of human activity such as burning fossil fuels, while 49% of the public agrees.

•    93% of scientists favor the use of animals in scientific research, but 52% of the public agrees.

•    93% of scientists favor federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, while only 58% of the public agrees.

•    82% of scientists think there is a need for universal vaccinations for children, while 69% of the public say the same.

•    17% of scientists and 28% of the public say parents should be able to decide not to vaccinate their children.

•    36% of the public says that “science sometimes conflicts with their own religious beliefs”

•    55% of the scientists say they are Democrats, compared with 35% of the public.

•    52% of the scientists call themselves liberals; while 20% of the public call themselves liberals.

The PEW article concludes by saying, “Previous Pew Research Center knowledge surveys have shown that young people are poorly informed about current events and politics. But this is not the case with science knowledge. In fact, those younger than 30 get higher scores on the knowledge test than do those 65 and older. Still, the best-informed people about science, according to the results of this quiz, are those 30 to 49.”