Wide support for stem-cell research in Lottopol P
oll
Even among those who say they are pro-life regarding the abortion
issue there are more who favor government funding for stem-cell
research.(26.95%) than there are those who would ban such research.
(23.35%). A significant number of those who say they are pro-life
regarding the abortion would permit stem-cell research,(25.75%) but
would not favor government funding. Those who would permit stem-cell
research but oppose government funding may me motivated by fiscal
policy concerns rather that ethical or religious considerations.
The participants were asked the question:
What is your opinion on stem-cell research where material from
discarded embryos may be used to cure diseases such as diabetes and
Alzheimer’s?
The Answers Were: (% of total answers)
All such research should be banned. (10.69%)
The research should be funded by the government.(39.95%)
The research should be permitted but not funded by the government.
(18.65%)
No opinion or would rather not answer that question. (30.71%)
The results can be broken down by the participant’s position on the
abortion issue. Which shows, for those who indicated that they
consider themselves the pro-life on the abortion issue:
The Answers Were:
All such research should be banned. (23.35%)
The research should be funded by the government.(26.95%)
The research should be permitted but not funded by the government.
(25.75%)
No opinion or would rather not answer that question. (23.95%)
For those who indicated that they consider themselves the pro-choice
on the abortion issue:
The Answers Were:
All such research should be banned. (4.85%)
The research should be funded by the government.(54.10%)
The research should be permitted but not funded by the government.
(25.00%)
No opinion or would rather not answer that question. (16.05%)
For those who indicated that they had no position or opinion on the
abortion issue:
The Answers Were:
All such research should be banned. (6.10%)
The research should be funded by the government.(39.02%)
The research should be permitted but not funded by the government.
(19.51%)
No opinion or would rather not answer that question. (35.37%)
The results can be broken down in terms of the extent to which
individuals or their families are impacted by diseases such as
diabetes. Which shows, for those who indicated that no one in their
household has diabetes.:
The Answers Were:
All such research should be banned. (9.09%)
The research should be funded by the government.(42.80%)
The research should be permitted but not funded by the government.
(24.62%)
No opinion or would rather not answer that question. (23.50%)
For those who indicated that they do not but at least one person in
their household has diabetes.:
The Answers Were:
All such research should be banned. (15.79%)
The research should be funded by the government.(47.37%)
The research should be permitted but not funded by the government.
(26.32%)
No opinion or would rather not answer that question. 10.53%)
For those who indicated that they had diabetes.
The Answers Were:
All such research should be banned. (5.41%)
The research should be funded by the government.(70.27%)
The research should be permitted but not funded by the government.
(10.81%)
No opinion or would rather not answer that question. (13.52%)
Interesting Aspects of the Results
Those on the pro-choice side of the abortion issue overwhelming
support government funding for stem-cell research. Only 4.85% would
ban stem-cell research while 54.10% favor government funding.
Interesting a quarter of those in the pro-choice category would
permit stem-cell research but oppose government funding. This is
essentially the same percentage of those who say they are pro-life
regarding the abortion issue. The 25% of both pro-life and pro-choice
people who would permit to not use government funds for stem-cell
research would thus appear to be motivated by fiscal policy concerns
rather that ethical or religious considerations.
As might be expected, those impacted by diseases such as diabetes are
those most in favor of government funding for stem cell research. Of
those with diabetes, 70.27% favored the use government funds for stem-
cell research while only 5.41% would ban such research.