New Poll: Americans Prefer Funding Stem Cell
Research That Does Not Require Destroying Human Embryos
WASHINGTON (August 23, 2004) —
Despite exaggerated recent claims about the benefits of embryonic stem cell
research, Americans strongly prefer funding research that does not require
destroying human embryos. They also strongly oppose human cloning for either
reproductive or research purposes.
These are the chief findings of survey questions commissioned by the Pro-Life
Secretariat of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The questions
are part of a national survey conducted by International Communications
Research, which polled over one thousand American adults by telephone in
mid-August.
The poll suggests that Americans are closely divided on federal funding of
stem cell research that requires destroying human embryos, with 43 percent in
favor and 47 percent opposed. However, when given a choice between funding all
stem cell research (both adult and embryonic), and funding only alternatives
such as adult stem cell research to see if there is no need to destroy embryos
for research, Americans clearly prefer funding only adult stem cell research
by a margin of 61 percent to 23 percent. Opposition to funding embryonic stem
cell research is stronger among women, low-income Americans, seniors, and
regular churchgoers.
The survey also shows that Americans overwhelmingly oppose the use of human
cloning to create embryos for medical research, 80 percent to 13 percent.
"Cloning embryos for their stem cells is the logical next step in the
embryonic stem cell research agenda," says Richard Doerflinger, Deputy
Director of the USCCB Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities. Americans also
oppose cloning to provide children to infertile couples, 82 percent to 11
percent.
"Polls on embryonic stem cell research often fail to mention that the
research requires destroying human embryos," says Doerflinger. "Yet
this fact is essential to understanding the moral issue. Some polls also make
exaggerated claims about the (hypothetical) medical benefits of embryonic
cells, while ignoring the documented benefits of alternative research that
poses no moral problem. No instrument for testing public opinion should
mislead the public on these crucial aspects of the issue."
Poll questions and results are attached.
# # # # #
.Questions asked by International Communications Research, a national research
firm headquartered in Media, Pennsylvania. A weighted sample of 1001 American
adults was surveyed by telephone August 13-17, 2004, with a margin of error of
plus or minus 3 percent.
1. Stem cells are the basic cells from which all of a person's tissues and
organs develop. Congress is considering the question of federal funding for
experiments using stem cells from human embryos. The live embryos would be
destroyed in their first week of development to obtain these cells. Do you
support or oppose using your federal tax dollars for such experiments?
Support 43.3%
Oppose 46.9%
Don't know 9.0%
Refused 0.8%
2. Stem cells for research can be obtained by destroying human embryos. They
can also be obtained from adults, from placentas left over from live births,
and in other ways that do no harm to the donor. Scientists disagree on which
source may end up being most successful in treating diseases. How would you
prefer your tax dollars to be used this year for stem cell research?
(Options rotated)
Supporting all methods, including those that require destroying human
embryos, to see which will be most successful 23.0%
or
Supporting research using adult stem cells and other alternatives, to see
if there is no need to destroy human embryos for research. 61.4%
Neither (volunteered) 8.0%
Don't know 6.7%
Refused 0.8%
3. Should scientists be allowed to use human cloning to try to create children
for infertile couples?
Yes 11.1%
No 82.1%
Don't Know 6.4%
Refused 0.4%
4. Should scientists be allowed to use human cloning to create a supply of
human embryos to be destroyed in medical research?
Yes 13.3%
No 79.8%
Don't Know 6.1%
Refused 0.7%
__________________________________
Office of Communications
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194 (202) 541-3000
August 23, 2004 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops