A new Pew Research Center survey finds the share of Americans who say science has had a mostly positive effect on society has fallen and there’s been a continued decline in public trust in scientists.
In this report, we cover:
- Trust in scientists and other groups (Chapter 1)
- Views of the impact of science on society (Chapter 2)
- Support for government investments in science (Chapter 3)
Key findings
Impact of science on society
Overall, 57% of Americans say science has had a mostly positive effect on society. This share is down 8 percentage points since November 2021 and down 16 points since before the start of the coronavirus outbreak.
About a third (34%) now say the impact of science on society has been equally positive as negative. A small share (8%) think science has had a mostly negative impact on society.
Trust in scientists
When it comes to the standing of scientists, 73% of U.S. adults have a great deal or fair amount of confidence in scientists to act in the public’s best interests. But trust in scientists is 14 points lower than it was at the early stages of […]
This is wonderful news! Science is a method with skepticism baked into every step. What we know is never truly certain, and our knowledge bass is open to revision. The American public is certainly skeptical. As the article states: “About eight-in-ten Americans (78%) say government investments in scientific research are usually worthwhile for society.” The American people are very supportive of science, as we should be. However, the public is tired of being mislead by scientists who have hidden agendas and conflicts of interest. From the scientists who have whored themselves for the tobacco industry, the petro-chemical industry, the pharmaceutical industry, etc, etc….The list goes on. We have academic and scientific advisors with conflicts of interest advising governmental bodies, which make policies having the force of law, while they are insulated from their actions. This is what the American people are tired of. They have been taught their lessons well over many years, and we are seeing the results. What we have in this society are massive moral and ethical gaps which have gone unaddressed for so many years that they have become normalized. If we do not like the effects then all of us must work had to break the cycle of mistrust which has been brewing for decades and was given steroids by the so called “patriot act”. We have been witnessing a perversion of science for personal and corporate gain. When the public interest is put first then the public will start regaining trust.