(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in the United States agree with the approach of California voters to fund scientific investigation on embryonic human stem cells, according to a poll by SRBI Public Affairs published in Time. 50 per cent of respondents say they support raising state funds for this type of research.

Last November, California voters approved Proposition 71, which allocates $3 billion U.S. of the state's funds for stem cell research. Republican governor Arnold Schwarzenegger backed the measure.

In August 2001, U.S. president George W. Bush cited ethical questions in his rationale to ban federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. In a nationally televised statement, Bush said, "While we're all hopeful about the potential of this research, no one can be certain that the science will live up to the hope it has generated." 20 per cent of respondents side with the president on the issue.

Human stem cells come from embryos left over from in-vitro fertilization, which are habitually destroyed. These cells can develop into various tissues in the human body. Some scientists believe the research could be useful in the creation of new organs and in the treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. 53 per cent of respondents believe other American states should enact measures similar to California's to fund all types of stem cell research.

Next week, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on a proposal that would allow federal funding for research performed on stem cells obtained from days-old embryos stored in fertility clinics.

On May 20, Bush declared, "I made very clear to Congress that the use of federal money, taxpayer's money, to promote science which destroys life in order to save life—I'm against that. Therefore, if the bill does that, I would veto it."

Polling Data

In August 2001, George W. Bush restricted federal funding to a limited number of existing stem cell lines, cutting off funding for research on these discarded embryos. Last fall, California voters approved raising $3 billion U.S. in state money for stem cell research, including developing more lines of embryonic stem cells. Do you personally agree more with...

Should other states follow California's lead in funding all types of stem cell research, or not at all?

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