respect for scientists as experts entitled to take 

 part in public policy decisions. It must be added 

 that on the whole scientists are perceived to be 

 rather strange people with whom the public 

 does not easily identify. 



Some of our letter respondents proposed a 

 program of education about science and scien- 

 tists directed toward the public. There is 

 evidence that the public could know much more 

 about these subjects. However, without further 

 study it cannot be asserted that such a program 

 would lead to the alterations in governmental 

 actions with respect to science that these 

 respondents hoped for. 



Science itself seems to be highly regarded by 

 the public. Most of the evidence suggests that it 

 is valued mainly for its practical results, but 

 this point is still unclear. At the same time, there 

 is some evidence that the public distinguishes 

 science from technology. Technology also is 

 widely supported, but public concern about it is 

 increasing. Different technologies seem to 

 receive widely different reactions from dif- 

 ferent constituencies. Young people seem to be 

 especially sensitive to the possible negative 

 consequences of technology, but it does not 

 appear that they have become generally dis- 

 affected with either science or technology. 



92 



CONFIDENCE IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 



