More Americans Support Stem Cell Research

21-Feb-2005

More than three out of five Americans (63 percent) now back embryonic stem cell research, and even higher levels of support exist for bipartisan federal legislation to promote more such research (70 percent) and the growing number of state-level initiatives to encourage stem cell work (76 percent do or might support such measures), according to a new survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) on behalf of the Results for America (RFA) project of the nonprofit and nonpartisan Civil Society Institute.

On the eve of the introduction of a bill in Congress by Rep. Michael Castle, R-DE, and Rep. Diana DeGette, D-CO, to expand federal stem cell research, the RFA survey shows that a growing number of Americans favor going beyond President Bush's strict limits on stem cell research for medical research purposes. The level of public support for wider federal stem cell research now is slightly higher than it was after the death last spring of former President Ronald Reagan, whose widow, Nancy Reagan, called for the elimination of barriers to the exploration of stem cells for possible medical treatments.

Another factor identified by the survey as driving the public's support for stem cell research: The recent announcement that most or all of the stem cell lines approved for federal research purposes have been compromised, and thereby rendered useless for the pursuit of possible medical cures.

Civil Society Institute President Pam Solo said: "These findings clearly show that stem cell research is not an issue that is going to go away. If anything, the level of public backing is rising, edging up from the high-water mark of support brought about by the extensive public discussion about stem cell research in the wake of the passing of former President Ronald Reagan. The growing number of state-level ballot initiatives and legislative pushes means that federal lawmakers have two choices: either get out front and lead on this issue or be overtaken by all of the clamoring for stem cell research that is bubbling up from the grassroots level."

In August 2001, the Bush administration imposed a major new restriction on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. The restriction meant that research on stem cell lines created before August 2001 could receive funding, but prohibited support for research on stem cell lines developed after that date.

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/43545/more-americans-support-stem-cell-research.html