Majority of Americans say science has a mostly positive impact on society % ofU.S adults in each group who say science has had a effect on society
Most in the U.S. see net benefits from science for society, and they expect more ahead. About three-quarters of Americans (73%) say science has, on balance, had a mostly positive effect on society. And 82% expect future scientific developments to yield benefits for society in years to come.
The overall portrait is one of strong public support for the benefits of science to society, though the degree to which Americans embrace this idea differs sizably by race and ethnicity as well as by levels of science knowledge.
Majority of Americans say science has  | a mostly positive impact on society  | % ofU.S adults in each group who say science has had a  | effect on society  | Mostly positive positive  | Equal Mostly positive and negative  | Mostly negative  | U.S adults  | 73  | 23  | 3  | Race/ethnicity  | White  | 78  | 20  | Black  | 59  | 34  | Hispanic  | 66  | 28  | 5  | Science knowledge  | High  | 89  | 11  | Medium  | 72  | 26  | Low  | 54  | 37  | 9  | Note: Respondents who did not give an answer ware not shown. See  | Methodology of report for details on index of science knowledge.  | Whites and blacks include those who report being only one prace and  | are non-Hispanic. Hispanics are of any race.  | Source: Survey conducted Jan. 7-21, 2019.  | "Trust fand Mistrust in Americans" Views of Scientific Experts"  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 