Science

energyJun 5, 2025

While wind and solar power are still popular overall, Americans have become less supportive of these sources since the first Trump administration. This shift has been driven by sharp declines in support among Republicans.

Explore Americans’ views on: Trump administration energy policies and priorities | Purchasing electric and hybrid vehicles

short readJun 12, 2025

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reportNov 21, 2013

Views on End-of-Life Medical Treatments

Most Americans say there are circumstances in which doctors and nurses should allow a patient to die, but a growing minority says medical professionals always should do everything possible to save a patient’s life.
reportNov 21, 2013

Views on End-of-Life Medical Treatments

Most Americans say there are some circumstances in which doctors and nurses should allow a patient to die, but a growing minority says that medical professionals should do everything possible to save a patient’s life in all circumstances.
reportNov 21, 2013

To End Our Days

In recent years, legislatures and courts, religious leaders and scientists, citizens and patient advocates have all weighed in on end-of-life issues ranging from whether the terminally ill should have the right to take their own lives to how much treatment and sustenance those in the last stages of life should receive.
reportNov 21, 2013

Religious Groups’ Views on End-of-Life Issues

Religious leaders, scholars and ethicists from 16 major American religious groups explain how their faith traditions’ teachings address physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia and other end-of-life questions.
featureNov 21, 2013

Timeline: Key Dates in the End-of-Life Debate

Issues surrounding the end of life have been debated since long before New York became the first state to explicitly outlaw assisted suicide in 1828. This timeline looks at major events on the topic in the U.S. since the 1960s. Related Publications: Nov. 21, 2013 Views on End-of-Life Medical Treatments Nov. 21, 2013 To End […]
short readsNov 13, 2013

Americans see U.S. losing ground against mental illness, prescription drug abuse

The public views a number of public health problems as serious, but while prescription drug abuse does not top the list, it stands out as a problem that Americans say is getting worse.
short readsNov 13, 2013

Obesity and poverty don’t always go together

Obesity in the U.S. varies considerably by gender, race, ethnicity, income and educational level, but not necessarily how you might expect.
reportNov 12, 2013

Public Agrees on Obesity’s Impact, Not Government’s Role

Survey Report Most Americans (69%) see obesity as a very serious public health problem, substantially more than the percentages viewing alcohol abuse, cigarette smoking and AIDS in the same terms. In addition, a broad majority believes that obesity is not just a problem that affects individuals: 63% say obesity has consequences for society beyond the […]
short readsNov 11, 2013

U.S., Middle East publics less concerned about climate change than those in other nations

The UN Climate Change Conference convened today in Warsaw with a call for governments to reach an agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The talks begin against a public opinion backdrop in which fewer Americans see global climate change as a major threat than do people in most other regions.
short readsNov 7, 2013

Public has mixed view on banning trans fats

A nationwide survey finds 44% in favor of prohibiting restaurants from using trans fats in foods, while 52% oppose the idea.

Signature Reports

reportMar 17, 2022

Illustration shows Vitruvian man drawing and a computer wireframe

Public views are tied to how these technologies would be used and what constraints would be in place.

reportSep 29, 2020

Majorities across 20 publics say government investments in scientific research are worthwhile and express a lot or some confidence in scientists to do what is right for the public.

reportMar 1, 2022

A photo that shows Orlando Utility Commission's Stanton Solar Farm outside Orlando, Florida, in September 2021. In the distance is the utility's Stanton Energy Center, powered by coal and natural gas.

Majorities of Americans say the United States should prioritize the development of renewable energy sources and take steps toward the country becoming carbon neutral by the year 2050. But just 31% want to phase out fossil fuels completely, and many foresee unexpected problems in a major transition to renewable energy.

reportDec 10, 2020

Image shows an employee observes DNA sequencing at the functional genomics laboratory of the Bochkov Research Center for Medical Genetics in Moscow. (Ivan Yudin/TASS via Getty Images)

Majorities say scientific research on gene editing is a misuse – rather than an appropriate use – of technology. But public acceptance of gene editing for babies depends on how it will be used, and views often differ by age and religion.