POLL RELEASES March 5, 2001
Substantial Numbers of Americans Continue to Doubt Evolution as Explanation for Origin of Humans Some Americans appear uncertain as to meaning of terms, however
by Deborah Jordan Brooks
GALLUP NEWS SERVICE
PRINCETON, NJ -- Although most scientists subscribe to the theory of evolution as the best explanation for the origin of human beings, a recent Gallup poll shows that the American public is much more divided in its own beliefs. Americans choose "creationism" over "evolution" when asked which of these two terms best describes human origins, but slightly larger numbers of Americans choose one of two evolutionist explanations than choose a strict creationist explanation when given a choice between three specific views. At the same time, only about a third of the public say that Charles Darwin's theory of evolution is well supported by evidence.
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