(Angus Reid Global Scan) - More adults in the United States are in favour of scientific investigation with human embryos, according to a poll by Opinion Research Corporation for the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research. 73 per cent of respondents support embryonic stem cell research, up five points in a year.

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."

In May 2005, 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 16, Republican Utah senator Orrin Hatch predicted that the bills would be ratified in the upper house, saying, "If it's brought up, we will pass it because the votes are there."

Polling Data

Do you support or oppose embryonic stem cell research?

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