In Science We Trust: Poll Results on How You Feel about Scie

This month's edition of Scientific American has the results of a recent poll they conducted (no cheating and peeking ahead of time!), along with the international journal of science Nature (it and Science are considered the top 2 journals in the world) on the public's trust in scientists and specific science issues. I was somewhat shocked by the results so I thought I'd conduct a small test here to see if our members mirror the 21,000 respondents of the original poll (not exactly the same - there will be sample difference [not the same pool of responders] and also they rated their trust on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1=Strongly Distrust, 3=Neutral, and 5=Strongly Trust, we'll just do a simple weighting of the topics based on number of votes). No peeking at the SciAm article (if you haven't already read it) - I'll post it here in 48 hours.

When asked whom the responders typically trusted to provide accurate information about important issues in society, scientists came out on top with a score of 3.98 average out of 5.
Scientists: 3.98
Friends or family 3.09
Nongovernmental organizations: 3.09
Citizen groups 2.69
Journalists 2.57
Companies 1.78
Elected officials 1.76
Religious authorities 1.55

The results:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/artic ... trust-poll

With 3.0 = Neutral, 4.0 = Trust, and 5.0 = Highly Trust, subjects in order from most trust to least trust what scientists say
Evolution 4.3
Renewable energy 4.08
Origin of the universe 4.0
Stem cells 3.97
Cancer causes 3.91
Cancer cures 3.74
Nuclear power 3.67
Climate change 3.66
Autism causes 3.53
Food safety 3.44
Vitamins and supplements 3.42
Genetically modified crops 3.39
Pesticides 3.33
Depression drugs 3.21
Flu pandemic 3.19 - this one surprised me the most

Our poll had Evolution, Origin of the universe, Stem cells, Nuclear power, and Climate change tying as the top votes, followed by Renewable energy, food safety, and Cancer causes. Cancer cures, flu pandemics, Genetically modified crops, and pesticides tied for 3rd. Interestingly, autism causes had only 1 vote, and vitamin/supplements and Depression drugs had no votes. Only Genetically modified crops, Pesticides, and Flu pandemics are vastly switched between our poll and SciAm's.

When science meets politics: a tale of three nations
Respondents who agree with the following statements:
1. Scientists should speak out about what the science says, but avoid advocacy
U.S. - 40%, China- 45%, Germany - 15% - Germans strongly believe in advocacy, US and China just over half do
2. Scientists should stay out of politics
U.S. - 17%, China - 45%, Germany - 8% - surprising that so many believe that scientists should get involved in politics
3. Scientists know best what is good for the public
U.S. - 21%, China - 35%, Germany - 20% - surprised at how low this is. comments, thoughts?
4. Scientists should pay attention to the wishes of the public, even if they think citizens are mistaken or do not understand their work
U.S. - 26%, China - 65%, Germany - 25% - glad to see this isn't any higher or we'd've never seen lead paint reform, cigarette warnings, CFC regulations, etc. I was kind of surprised to see this high of percentage considering that these were scientists or friends of/those sympathetic to science who were voting


More than 70 percent of respondents agreed that in tough economic times, science funding should be spared. When asked what should be cut instead, defense spending was the overwhelming pick.


Techno Fears
47% say nuclear power should be phased out and replaced with other sources of clean energy - I'm surprised that this was this high
26% say the government should act now to protect the public from the unknown risks of nanotechnology - not surprised, nanotech is not well known, but should be
23% do no approve of research on chimps under any circumstances - thought this would be lower
22% say GM crops pose unacceptable environmental and health risks and should not be planted - thought this would be higher
12% do not approve of research on non-primate mammals under any circumstances
8% do not approve of embryo research under any circumstances
7% say further research on artificial organisms should not take place until it can be proven safe

How comfortable are you with the risks associated with nuclear power? U.S. vs Europe
Not comfortable 18% (U.S.) vs 66% (Europe)
Somewhat comfortable 56% vs 27%
Totally comfortable 24% vs 5%
Don't know 2% vs 2%

How comfortable are you with the risks associated with nanotechnology?
Not comfortable 28% vs 23%
Somewhat comfortable 10% vs 11%
Totally comfortable 27% vs 33%
Don't know 36% vs 33%

How comfortable are you with the risks associated with genetically modified crops?
Not comfortable 13% vs 27%
Somewhat comfortable 34% vs 48%
Totally comfortable 53% vs 26%
Don't know 0% for both

Respondents who trust what scientists say about flu pandemics
69% in U.S. vs 31% in Europe


Climate Denial on the Decline
Over the past year, have your views about climate altered in any way?
U.S.: 49% my views have not changed, 37% I am more certain that humans are changing the climate (ratio of 2.7 more vs less certain), 14% I am more doubtful that human activity is affecting the climate
Australia: same as U.S.
Germany: 59% not changed, 31% more certain (ratio of 3.0 more vs less certain), 10% more doubtful
China: 23% not changed, 61% more certain (ratio of 3.8 more vs less certain), 16% more doubtful - Wow! They will be moving ahead of us quickly in renewable energy implementation, IMO.
Brazil: 17% not changed, 63% more certain (ratio of 3.2 more vs less certain), 20% more doubtful - not sure why the strength here
Japan: 48% not changed, 30% more certain (ratio of 1.3 more vs less certain), 22% more doubtful - funny considering they were the only nation to actually attempt to follow Kyoto protocol, with abyssmal results
Britain: 60% not changed, 27% more certain (ratio of 2.0 more vs less certain), 13% more doubtful
Canada: 46% not changed, 41% more certain (ratio of 3.4 more vs less certain), 12% more doubtful
France: 53% not changed, 29% more certain (ratio of 1.6 more vs less certain), 18% more doubtful
Italy: 44% not changed, 46% more certain (ratio of 3.8 more vs less certain), 12% more doubtful


Thanks to all who participated! Anything you'd like to comment on, discuss further, dispute?