FROM: Genomics & Genetics Weekly
May 31, 2002, Pg. 19
HEADLINE: POLICY: Poll: More than two-thirds of Americans support
therapeutic
cloning research to produce stem cells
A poll commissioned by the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical
Research
(CAMR) shows more than two-thirds of Americans support therapeutic
cloning
research to produce stem cells for treating life-threatening diseases and
want
the government to allow it to proceed. Less than 30% polled want to
outlaw the
research.
In the new poll, conducted from April 18-21, 2002, 68% of those
surveyed said
they favored the government allowing scientists to do therapeutic cloning
research, while only 26% opposed it (the remaining 6% of respondents
answered
"don't know"). The poll surveyed 1022 adult Americans and was conducted
by
Opinion Research Corp. International.
"The poll shows clearly that the more the American people know about
this
vital research, the more strongly they oppose government efforts to ban
it,"
said Michael Manganiello, President of CAMR.
People were asked simply whether they supported or opposed a
government ban
on therapeutic cloning research to produce stem cells to treat disease.
More
than half, 52%, said they opposed a ban. Support for therapeutic cloning
research grew dramatically, reaching 68% when questioners were given a
list of
diseases - diabetes, Parkinson disease and spinal cord injury -that could
be
treated with stem cells produced by the research.
Of the 1022 Americans responding, men were more likely than women to
favor
therapeutic cloning research (71% to 65%). And Americans who had at least
a
college degree were more likely to favor the research than those with a
high
school degree (73% to 64%). The poll has a margin of error of plusmn 3%.
This article was prepared by Genomics & Genetics Weekly editors from
staff
and other reports.
http://www.NewsRx.net
----------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask]
In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn
