Independent Voter Support for Ending Bush Limits on Stem Cell Lines is Strong

Two out of three voters in 18 key states support overriding the Bush Administration's limits on federal government funding for stem cell research, according to a new survey conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates. The survey was conducted among registered voters and was designed to explore public opinion on federal funding for stem cell research. The states included were Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maine, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, and West Virginia.

In August 2001, the Bush Administration established a new restriction on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. The restriction means that research on stem cell lines created before August 2001 can receive funding, but funding is prohibited for research on stem cell lines developed after that date. The new survey results show that voters overwhelmingly oppose this restriction and favor funding for research using newer stem cell lines. Fully 65 percent of voters support expanding federal government funding for stem cell lines created after August 2001. Peter D. Hart Research Associates Senior Vice President Guy Molyneaux said: "What we really found is this: The center of the electorate clearly embraces the importance of stem cell research. Clearly, the potential of stem cell research to produce treatments for a wide range of diseases and conditions is a very powerful consideration for voters. Even subgroups originally resistant to the idea, such as Evangelicals and Republicans, support stem cell research after hearing a description of the process and potential of the research, despite the explicit recognition of the embryo destruction required. The most convincing argument is that embryonic stem cell research is similar to organ donation in that neither organ donors nor frozen embryos will live and that there is a great medical need for both, with 69 percent finding this 'very' or 'fairly' convincing." "These findings highlight the key role played by education in shaping public views on these controversial issues. Scientists and clinicians should continue to explain the therapeutic potential of human ES cells, as well as the scientific process through which advances are made, " states ASH member Dr. Margaret Goodell of Baylor College of Medicine.

Members of Congress are also encouraging increased funding for stem cell research. On April 28, there was a rally on Capitol Hill for supporters of removing the restrictions on embryonic stem cell research. The rally drew media attention to this issue and provided the opportunity to announce the development of a bipartisan letter to President Bush. This letter was signed by about 200 members of the House of Representatives and asks the President to expand the current federal policy on embryonic stem cell research funding. ASH was one of about 20 medical research organizations that prepared a statement for the event in support of removing the current restrictions on embryonic stem cells.

For more information about the survey, please visit www.resultsforamerica.org/calendar/files/StemCellResearchPaper.pdf. To learn more about the House of Representatives rally for stem cell research, please contact Jeff Coughlin at 202-776-0544 or jcoughlin@hematology.org

Return to Table of Contents