New Poll Shows Mixed Opinions on Stem Cell Research
Source: USA Today, Pro-Life Infonet; July 12, 2001

New Poll Shows Mixed Opinions on Stem Cell Research

New York, NY -- The majority of Americans do not understand the debate
over human embryonic stem cell research and appear conflicted about the
moral and ethical concerns of using human embryos to develop medical
therapies, according to a USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll.

In the nationwide telephone poll of 998 adults, conducted July 10-11, 57%
said they don't know enough about the topic to say whether the federal
government should fund research.

When presented with information that stem cells would come from spare
embryos from fertility clinics, the poll found that 54% of Americans
support funding of such research; 39% oppose funding; 7% had no opinion.

However, the question only presented a statement that "some scientists"
believe the research has the potential to cure important diseases. It did
not include a mention of opposition from pro-life advocates on grounds
that life-affirming alternatives exist and are preferable to destroying
human embryos.

In a question that may reveal a truer picture of the feelings of Americans
on the issue, 54% say the federal government should not permit scientists
to create embryos for research --something two groups reported doing this
week --while only 38% say it is OK.

As with most polls on life issues, poll results vary depending on the
wording of the questions.

Another poll conducted in June of over 1,000 Americans suggests that
Americans oppose federal funding of stem cell research that requires
destroying human embryos, by a factor of almost three to one (70% to 24%).
Asked to choose between funding all stem cell research (both adult and
embryonic), and funding only adult stem cell research and similar
alternatives to see if there is no need to destroy embryos for research,
Americans prefer the latter approach by an even wider margin (67% to 18%).

Meanwhile, the recent USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll poll showed that 34%
believe the research is morally wrong but may be necessary. Some 54%
belive the research is morally wrong but 69% say it is necessary. This
finding suggests pro-life advocates must do more to educate the public
that equally valid alternatives to ebryonic stem cell research exist which
have the potential to cure diseases.

Perhaps most revealing was that only 38% say they have followed the debate
about government funding of stem cell research either very or somewhat
closely.

Polling questions from the USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll appear below:

STEM CELL RESEARCH

1. Question: As you may know, the federal government is considering
whether to fund certain kinds of medical research known as "stem cell
research." How closely have you followed the debate about government
funding of stem cell research - very closely, somewhat closely, not too
closely, or not closely at all_

Very closely 9
Somewhat closely 29
Not too closely 28
Not closely at all 32
No opinion 2

2. Question: Do you think the federal government should or should not fund
this type of research, or don't you know enough to say_

Should 30
Should not 13
Don't know enough to say 57

3. Question: The kind of stem-cell research the government is considering
involves human embryos that have been created in medical clinics by
fertilizing a woman's egg outside the womb. An embryo may be implanted
into a woman's womb to develop into a baby. If an embryo is not implanted
into a woman's womb to develop into a baby, it may be destroyed, either by
being discarded or by being used for medical research. Some scientists
believe this type of medical research could lead to treatments for such
diseases as Alzheimer's, diabetes, heart disease and spinal cord injuries.
Given this information, do you think the federal government should or
should not fund this type of research_

Should 54
Should not 39
No opinion 7

4. Question: Which comes closest to your view of this kind of stem cell
research -- [ROTATED: it is morally wrong and is unnecessary, it is
morally wrong, but may be necessary, it is not morally wrong and may be
necessary, (or) it is not morally wrong but is unnecessary]_

Morally wrong and unnecessary 20
Morally wrong, may be necessary 34
Not morally wrong, may be necessary 35
Not morally wrong, unnecessary 4
No opinion 7

5. Question: For each of the following, please tell me if it is -- very
important, somewhat important, not too important, or not at all important
-- to you personally. How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]_

Medical researchers finding cures for diseases such as Alzheimer's,
diabetes, heart disease and spinal cord injury

Very important 82
Not very important 16
Not too important 1
Not important at all 1

Preventing human embryos from being used in medical research

Very important 39
Not very important 29
Not too important 20
Not important at all 16

6. Question: One of the issues involved in this type of research is
whether or not the embryos used were developed specifically for stem cell
research. Do you think the federal government should or should not allow
scientists to fertilize human eggs specifically for the purpose of
creating new stem cells_

Should 38
Should not 54
No opinion 8

7. Question: At least one other country currently allows scientists to
create human embryos specifically for stem cell research. How concerned
are you that other countries will gain a competitive advantage over the
U.S. if the government does not allow US scientists to do the same_ Are
you -- very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not at
all concerned_

Very concerned 12
Somewhat concerned 21
Not too concerned 33
Not concerned at all 33