This article seems to imply that opinions about evolution held by average Americans somehow impact research. They don't.
Kids who develop an interest in science will square it with their religious beliefs one way or another. I doubt that there are a number of potential Nobel prize winners digging ditches today instead of doing gene mapping because of religious issues.
We still seem to have all the scientists we need to remain on the bleeding edge of research.
Denying the intimate biological kinship of humanity to all the other life on earth requires deep irrationality driven by ignorance, driven either by being ill-informed or choosing to be ill-educated.
This kind of belief borders on magic.