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Tuesday June 26 5:55 PM ET Americans Support Stem Cell Research By LAURA MECKLER, Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - Americans support using federal money for embryonic stem cell research by a 2-1 margin, according to a poll that comes as the Bush administration considers whether to allow the funding to move forward. The promising but controversial research involves cells extracted from embryos that are left over from fertility treatments. Supporters tout the potential for medical breakthroughs. Opponents say it's wrong to use human embryos for research. The poll, by ABC News and Beliefnet.com, finds support pervasive, with majorities of Protestants, Catholics, Republicans, Democrats and independents all supporting funding for the research. The only group that opposed funding was made up of those who believe abortion should always be illegal. Those who consider themselves politically conservative were divided. Blacks were close to even, with 48 percent supporting funding and 44 percent opposing it. Overall, after being given a summary of the arguments on each side, 58 percent of those polled said they personally support stem cell research, with 30 percent opposing it and 12 percent having no opinion. In addition, 60 percent said the research should qualify for federal funding, with 31 percent saying it should not. Nine percent had no opinion. Supporters and opponents have each conducted polling on stem cell research with questions worded in a way that favored their point of view. But there's been little recent independent research on public opinion of the issue. Support from Catholics is particularly striking given that the Catholic Church is lobbying against this funding and the Bush administration is wary of upsetting that important segment of the electorate. The poll found 54 percent of Catholics support the research, while 35 percent oppose it. Stem cells, the building blocks for all human tissue, are present in adults as well. But the cells derived from embryos are the most versatile because they are the least developed. Researchers say using them could lead to revolutionary treatments for Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, spinal cord injuries and other ailments. Federal law bans the use of tax dollars on any research that destroys embryos. The Clinton administration got around that by ruling it's OK to use the stem cells in federally funded research, as long as private dollars paid for them to be extracted from the embryos. It's now up to the Bush administration whether to maintain that interpretation or change the policy. In recent days, several high-profile, anti-abortion Republicans have urged Bush to allow it to move forward. Over the weekend, Senate Republican leader Trent Lott said the research had ``great potential.'' The administration has promised a decision by next month. The telephone survey of 1,022 adults was conducted June 20 through Sunday. It had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. http://dailynews.yahoo.com/htx/ap/20010626/hl/stem_cells_poll_1.html * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn