Table 7-9
Perceived understanding of public issues by various groups: 2006
(Percent)
 
    Degree of understanding (on scale of 1 to 5)    
      Very well                      Not at all   Don't
know
Public issue/group   5    4    3    2    1   
 
Global warming                        
Environmental scientists   44   22   22   4   4   4
Business leaders   4   8   30   32   22   4
Elected officials   5   7   31   29   24   4
Stem cell research                        
Medical researchers   50   24   15   3   3   6
Religious leaders   6   8   26   29   25   6
Elected officials   3   7   35   26   22   6
Federal income taxes                        
Economists   33   19   29   7   7   5
Business leaders   15   29   33   12   6   4
Elected officials   10   18   34   19   15   5
Genetically modified foods                        
Medical researchers   32   32   18   8   5   6
Business leaders   4   7   24   31   28   6
Elected officials   3   6   24   33   29   5
 

NOTES: Responses to: How well do the following groups understand: causes of global warming; importance of stem cell research; effects of reducing federal income taxes; risks posed by genetically modified foods? Detail may not add to total because of rounding.

SOURCE: University of Chicago, National Opinion Research Center, General Social Survey (2006). See appendix table 7-22.

Science and Engineering Indicators 2008