September 02, 2006

Abstract: - Many adults in the United States believe their government should finance a specific type of scientific investigation, according to a poll by Princeton Survey Research Associates published in Newsweek. 48 per cent of respondents favour using federal tax dollars to fund medical research using stem cells obtained from human embryos.

- Many adults in the United States believe their government should finance a specific type of scientific investigation, according to a poll by Princeton Survey Research Associates published in Newsweek. 48 per cent of respondents favour using federal tax dollars to fund medical research using stem cells obtained from 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."

In July, Bush vetoed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005, which had been approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate, and sought to allow federal funding for embryonic stem cell research on cells "derived from human embryos that have been donated from in-vitro fertilization clinics, were created for the purposes of fertility treatment, and were in excess of the clinical need of the individuals seeking such treatment." In more than five years in office, Bush had not vetoed a single bill.

Last month, scientists led by Robert Lanza at Advanced Cell Technology in Massachusetts adapted a technique called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis to create stem cells without destroying the embryo. Lanza declared: "We think that with the right resources we have the capacity to create as many stem cells as the scientific community needs without harming any embryos whatsoever." 50 per cent of respondents believe this breakthrough should cause the Bush administration to change its position on stem cell research.

Polling Data

Do you favour or oppose using federal tax dollars to fund medical research using stem cells obtained from human embryos?

Favour	48%
Oppose	40%
Don't know	12%

As you may know, scientists may have recently discovered a method to potentially obtain stem cells from human embryos without destroying the embryo. Some people feel that this discovery should cause the Bush administration to change its position on stem cell research and support government funding for it. Others think that this new method does not resolve all the ethical issues and that the Bush administration should not change its position. Which comes closer to your view?

Should change position	50%
Should not change position	33%
Don't know	15%

Source: Princeton Survey Research Associates / Newsweek
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,002 American adults, conducted on Aug. 24 and Aug. 25, 2006. Margin of error is 4 per cent.