Public Perceptions of Scientists (& what about Engineers?)

This is a pretty good article (Thanks to Eric Addo for posting) explaining results of a Pew survey addressing public perceptions of science issues and scientists, and scientists perception of science issues and the public. As we move further into a future dominated by science and technology, the disconnects between scientists' and public perceptions on science policy issues (eg. global warming, nuclear energy) are troubling. How do we close the gap between the two?

My own anecdotal experiences find engineers (closely related to scientists, but with profound differences) to be aligned with more fiscally conservative politics than most similarly educated and compensated members of the public. The survey identified scientists as being more liberal than the public. This brings up a relevant question - What do scientists & engineers do?

• The classic definition for scientist is a person who works to expand the body of knowledge. There are obviously some constraints (scientists like to eat and live in buildings, meaning that someone has to pay for or sponsor their work), but it is generally understood that there is not a DIRECT link between scientific research and financial gain.
• According to former National Academy of Engineering president Wm. A. Wulf, "My favorite quick definition of what engineers do is 'design under constraint.'" This is a pretty good definition, at least for what I've experienced. There is a generally an expectation that engineering solutions have to make financial sense - that the solution has to solve a problem less expensively than existing products.

I'd be curious to see what scientists' and engineers' similarities and differences would be in a similar survey. Would it matter if people who are used to scientific principles (one group tests and probes, the other applies and uses) perceive politics differently?

One other issue that jumped out to me was the difference between public & scientists' perception of issues where religion and science intersect (eg. global warming, stem cell research). Scientists tend to believe in scientific theories or laws (evolution of species, gravity) that have been created based on empirical observation. The public often uses religious arguments to resist changes that originate with these scientific observations. My own belief is that God has not allowed us to fully understand our world, and this lack of understanding allows for uncertainty that science can aim to reduce, but never truly eliminate. However, science can not change how I'm supposed to deal with God, or how to follow his His teachings. What do you think - is the disconnect between scientists' and public perceptions on issues that touch on religion a big concern?