New poll: Americans prefer funding stem-cell research that does not destroy embryos

Washington D.C., Aug 23, 2004 / 22:00 pm

Despite 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 recent survey, commissioned by the Pro-Life Secretariat of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and conducted by International Communications Research. The telephone survey, which included only four questions, polled more than 1,000 American adults 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 non-embryonic stem-cell research, as in adult stem-cell 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.

Americans also oppose cloning to provide children to infertile couples, 82 percent to 11 percent.