Opinion Differences Between Public and Scientists % of U.S. adults and AAAS scientists saying each of the following Biomedical sciences Safe to eat genetically Climate, energy, space sciences Favor increased use of fracking
Scientists and the American public are often far apart when it comes to views about science-related issues. Members of the science community, for example, are much more likely to say genetically modified foods and foods grown with pesticides are safe to eat, and that climate change is mostly due to human activity, according to our recent survey of U.S.-based members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
A global median of 54% consider climate change a very serious problem, according to our survey of 40 nations. But there are regional differences on views of climate change, with people from Latin America and Africa expressing more concern than others. Before delegates from 195 nations approved a landmark climate accord in Paris this year to limit carbon emissions, our spring survey found a median of 78% supporting such a deal.
Opinion Differences Between Public and Scientists  | % of U.S. adults and AAAS scientists saying each of the following  | Biomedical sciences  | U.S. adults  | AAAS scientists  | Safe to eat genetically  | 37%  | 51 point gap  | 88%  | modified foods  | Favor use of  | 42  | 89  | animals in research  | Safe to eat foods  | 28  | 40  | 68  | grown with pesticides  | Humans have evolved  | 65  | 33  | 98  | over time  | Childhood vaccines  | 86  | 68  | 18  | such as MMR should  | be required  | Climate, energy, space sciences  | Climate change is mostly  | 50%  | 37 point gap  | 87%  | due to human activity  | Growing world population  | 59  | 23  | 82  | will be a major problem  | Favor building more  | 45  | 20  | 65  | nuclear power plants  | Favor more  | 320  | 20  | 52  | offshore drilling  | Astronauts essential for  | 47 12  | 59  | future of U.S space program  |  | Favor increased use  | 10 78  | 68  | of bioengineered fuel  | Favor increased  | 310 8  | 39  | use of fracking  | Space station has been  | 68  | good investment for U.S  | Survey ofU S. adults August115-25, 2014. aaas scientists survey Sept. 11-0ct 13, 2014.  | Other responses and those saying don't know or giving no answerare notshown.  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 