65% of Americans surveyed by Pew Research Center say having a robot caring for the sick and elderly isn’t a good idea. And 66% say prospective parents shouldn’t alter their children’s DNA to make their offspring smarter, healthier or more athletic.
The results aren’t too surprising. Early cars and light bulbs drew the same reaction. Patricia Ward, director of science and technology for The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago says “modern-day scientists seem to be getting better at communicating their advances to the public in ways that are easy to relate to and understand.” They have a role model in today’s technology evangelists, who win over early adopters in great numbers. (Who, eight years ago, really wanted a tablet?) No doubt Ward appreciates actor and science promoter Alan Alda who believes–and is helping!–scientists to tell their stories through the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University. The more we understand, the more we have.
— Read more findings from the Pew Research survey “US Views of of Technology and the Future,” here.
