One of my fevorite magazines, PLoS Biology, has a great feature article on the scientific literacy in the US and its possible effects on science policy there. It contends that the US is the only western country where concerns about technology and science are mainly raised for religious reasons. The article contains loads of great info on the stem cell debate, evolution and other current hot topics in science and politics. Go and read it, it's well worth it (and it doesn't require a subscription!).