Big Bang, a big question for most Americans -Poll

         
Few Americans question that smoking causes cancer. But they express bigger doubts as concepts that scientists consider truths get further from our own experiences and from the present time.                           

That's according to an Associated Press-GfK poll.             

Americans have more skepticism than confidence in the Big Bang, global warming, the Earth's age and evolution. But they have more confidence in the link between smoking and cancer, that mental illness is a medical condition or that a genetic code determines who we are.                

Political and religious views are tied closely to perceptions of science.               

Those more conservative or religious are less confident in evolution, the Big Bang, the Earth's age and climate change.              

The findings disappointed some top scientists, who say the statements tested in the poll reflect settled facts.         


AP