- Many adults in the United States
believe their federal administration should fund
a specific type of scientific investigation, according
to a poll by Princeton Survey Research Associates
published in Newsweek. 50 per cent of
respondents favour using federal tax dollars to
fund medical research using stem cells obtained
from human embryos, up two points since August.
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.
American voters will renew
the House of Representatives and one-third of
the Senate on Nov. 7. In recent days, actor Michael
J. Fox—who suffers from
Parkinson’s disease—has endorsed several
candidates who support stem cell research, including
Democrat Sherrod Brown, who is campaigning for
one of Ohio’s U.S. Senate seats against Republican
incumbent Mike DeWine.
DeWine voiced his opposition
to stem cell research in a prepared statement,
which read: "The debate
is really about whether we will spend federal taxpayer
dollars to destroy human life. I believe human
life is sacred, and I can’t in good conscience
vote to authorize federal money to destroy it."
Polling Data
Do you favour or oppose using federal tax dollars
to fund medical research using stem cells obtained
from human embryos?
|
Oct. 2006 |
Aug. 2006 |
Favour |
50% |
48% |
Oppose |
37% |
40% |
Unsure |
13% |
12% |
Source: Princeton Survey Research Associates
/ Newsweek
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,002 American
adults, conducted on Oct. 26 and Oct. 27, 2006.
Margin of error is 4 per cent.
Related Info
These recent polls may be of interest:
Link to complete article http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/13649
|
