Highly religious Americans more skeptical of human enhancements such as brain implants, gene editing
Many Americans who are highly religious and identify with certain Christian traditions express discomfort with human enhancement.
How the political typology groups compare
Pew Research Center’s political typology sorts Americans into cohesive, like-minded groups based on their values, beliefs, and views about politics and the political system. Use this tool to compare the groups on some key topics and their demographics.
Americans are divided by religion on who should get critical care if there is a shortage of ventilators
Who should be given priority if some hospitals do not have enough ventilators for all patients who need help breathing?
Public Views of Gene Editing for Babies Depend on How It Would Be Used
Americans are more likely to anticipate negative than positive effects from widespread use of gene-editing technology
Facts on Foreign Students in the U.S.
The U.S. has more foreign students enrolled in its colleges and universities than any other country in the world. Explore data about foreign students in the U.S. higher education system.
Americans wary of using chip implants to boost brain power for the healthy
Thanks to scientific advancements, brain chip implants are already being tested in individuals to help them cope with an injury or ailment. But when it comes to the potential use of such implants to give an already healthy and capable person abilities that they do not currently have, Americans are more wary than enthusiastic. Some […]
American Voices on Ways Human Enhancement Could Shape Our Future
Focus group participants discuss biomedical developments that could boost the performance of people’s bodies and brains
Religion and Science
A majority of the public says science and religion often conflict, but people’s sense that they do seems to have less to do with their own religious beliefs than their perception of others' beliefs.
Americans, Politics and Science Issues
The general public’s political views are strongly linked to their attitudes on climate and energy issues. But politics is a less important factor on biomedical, food safety, space issues.
How Different Groups Think about Scientific Issues
Different demographic groups think differently about scientific issues. For example, those more likely to think genetically modified food is unsafe include women, African-Americans and Hispanics, and those without college degrees. Those more likely to say parents should be able to decide whether to vaccinate their children include younger adults, Republicans and independents.
