(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in the United States believe the possibility of new medical cures outweighs ethical questions over potential life, according to a poll by Princeton Survey Research Associates for the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press and the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. 57 per cent of respondents believe it is more important to conduct stem cell research than to avoid destroying human embryos.

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.

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."

On May 24, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 238-194 to allow federal funding for research performed on stem cells obtained from days-old embryos stored in fertility clinics. A second bill, which seeks to establish a national bank of blood products from umbilical cords available for research and treatment, passed after a 431-1 vote. The two proposed pieces of legislation must be reviewed by the Senate.

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."

On Jul. 29, Senate majority leader Bill Frist broke with the White House on the stem cell research issue, saying, "The limitations put in place in 2001 will, over time, slow our ability to bring potential new treatments for certain diseases. Therefore, I believe the president's policy should be modified."

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