A new report containing the results of a poll conducted by PEW Research Center for the People and the Press, an independent, non-partisan opinion polling organization, in conjunction with American Academy for the Advancement of the Sciences (AAAS) shows that while 84% of American civil society still views science as an overwhelmingly positive influence, it holds American scientific achievements in significantly lower regard today than in 1999. Only 17% of respondents thought US science was the best in the world, and the percentage that felt scientific, medical, or technological advance was the greatest achievement of America in the last 50 years fell to 27%, from 47% in 1999.

Scientists are worried about these trends, 85% feel that the public’s lack of knowledge about science is a major problem. 76% think that the media’s inability to distinguish well-founded scientific findings from those that are not is also a major issue. Additionally, 87% say that lack of funding for basic research is a very serious or serious obstacle to them producing high-quality research and 27% say that current animal research regulations are a very serious or serious obstacle to them producing high-quality research.

Overwhelmingly, public sentiment toward science is driven by biomedical research. When asked to describe ways that science has affected society, 52% of people point to advancements in the life sciences, but only 7% mention computers. Majorities of both scientists (84%) and the public (60%) view government funding as vital to scientific progress, and 73% of the public feels that resources invested in basic science research will pay off in the long run. A surprising finding of the survey is that a supermajority of both Republicans (68%) and Democrats (80%) feel this way. While a majority of both scientists (93%) and the public (52%) favor the use of animals in basic research, the strong consensus in the scientific community that animal research should continue is not reflected as powerfully in public opinion.

By educating members of the public about the ways in which biomedical research with animals has led to scientific advances, scientists can change public opinion on many of these important questions. In doing so, they can ensure that society gives American scientific achievements the recognition they deserve, procure government funding for scientific research, defend the use of animal models, and solve the problems the media’s oversimplification of scientific issues causes. NABR, as always, continues to ensure that the voice of the scientific community is heard by lawmakers and regulators in Washington, DC, but changing public opinion about science, biomedical research, and animal research also requires scientists to educate their communities. Along with NABR’s website, the Foundation for Biomedical Research is an excellent resource for simple, effective materials that can be used to advocate and educate about science.

The full text of the PEW/AAAS report can be found here.