Gallup's Pulse of Democracy
Stem Cell Research
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Guidance for Lawmakers |
As a scientific endeavor, Americans have a generally positive reaction to embryonic stem cell research. A solid majority of Americans (typically 60%) agree with using stem cells derived from human embryos for medical research; 61% consider such research morally acceptable. That's the general picture. More specifically, only 11% of Americans want unfettered government funding of embryonic stem cell research while 19% want no funding whatsoever. The broad middle group believes there should be limited funding -- either with keeping the current restrictions (24%) or easing those restrictions (42%). Because the issue is not highly important to most Americans, the public has, at different times, shown majority support for conflicting funding policies.
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Fine Print |
Embryonic stem cell research is only one type of medical research involving stem cells. Others rely on adult stem cells, including from bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, and adipose tissue (fat cells). Proponents of embryonic stem cell research point to the unique nature of embryonic cells to transform into almost any type of cell (pluripotent) as holding the most promise for curing such life-threatening diseases as Parkinson's, diabetes, and spinal cord injury. They believe the potential medical advantages outweigh any possible moral issues involved in such use of human embryos. Opponents object to embryonic stem cell use because they believe it involves the taking of an unborn human life. They point to medical advances that have already been made with adult stem cells, arguing that these methods are more likely to achieve significant medical treatments and cures, and without any ethical controversy. The degree to which the public understands these complex distinctions is unclear. When asked in a September 2005 survey how familiar they are with the major types of stem cell research, only 22% of Americans said they are "very clear" about the differences. Another 44% profess to be "somewhat clear," while 32% say they are not very clear or not at all clear. The same survey (sponsored by Virginia Commonwealth University Life Sciences) found no public consensus about which type of research offers the greatest promise for discovering new treatments for disease. Only 14% say embryonic stem cell research holds the most promise, while 7% say adult stem cells do, and 37% say "research using stem cells from other sources, such as an umbilical cord." However the largest percentage, 43%, is uncertain or cannot choose among the three types. |
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Context |
Embryonic stem cell research involves some of the same philosophical questions about human life that inflame the debates over abortion and human cloning. At what stage does life begin? Is it sacred? Should humans interfere with the natural process of human creation? Nevertheless, embryonic stem cell research is far less controversial with the public than either abortion or human cloning. According to Gallup's latest polling, 61% of Americans consider stem cell research using human embryos to be morally acceptable, only 30% say it is morally wrong. By contrast, a majority of Americans are closely divided on the morality of abortion, with 43% saying it is morally acceptable and 44% saying it is morally wrong. Embryonic stem cell research may meet with relatively less resistance because the intention is life affirming. The moral dilemma is between protecting an unborn life versus allowing research that could possibly extend an existing life, and the latter is more compelling for most Americans. |
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Urgency: Overall Importance as Political Issue |
Two-thirds of Americans say they would, in theory, support the use of embryonic stem cells if it could help themselves or a family member suffering from a condition such as Parkinson's or spinal cord injury. However, only a third of Americans personally know someone whom they believe could benefit from such treatments. This lack of a personal need for the research among most people could explain the lack of public demand for greater public funding. The 2005 Virginia Commonwealth survey found 58% of Americans in favor of "medical research that uses stem cells from human embryos," but only 27% "strongly" in favor. On the flip side, only 18% of Americans are "strongly opposed" to embryonic stem cell research, out of a total of 32% who are generally opposed. Similarly, a May 2005 Gallup survey found 58% of Americans following the news about government funding of stem cell research closely, but only 12% following it "very closely." |
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Key Subgroup Differences |
Support for embryonic stem cell research is slightly higher among men than women (60% vs. 53%) and among whites than nonwhites (59% vs. 45%). The starkest differences, however, are seen according to level of formal education and political groupings. Nearly three-quarters of those with postgraduate degrees (72%) are in favor of the research; this drops to 60% among those with a less advanced college background and to 45% among those with no more than a high school degree. Support is highest among Democrats (67%) and those who describe their political views as liberal (73%). It drops a bit among independents (60%) and self-described moderates (64%). It is lowest among Republicans (42%) and conservatives (42%). A slim majority of Republicans (54%) and conservatives (54%) oppose the research. |
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The Bottom Line |
A majority of Americans favor embryonic stem cell research, and would likely support any legislative initiative that funds it in any way, shape, or form. At the same time, Americans are not highly informed about the nuances of stem cell research, and think there should be some restrictions on government funding. |
As you may know, the federal government currently provides very limited funding for medical research that uses stem cells obtained from human embryos. Which would you prefer the government to do - [ROTATED: place no restrictions on government funding of stem cell research, ease the current restrictions to allow more stem cell research, keep the current restrictions in place, (or should the government) not fund stem cell research at all]?
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Ease current restrictions |
Keep current restrictions |
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2007 Apr 13-15 |
22% |
38 |
20 |
16 |
4 |
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2005 May 20-22 |
11% |
42 |
24 |
19 |
4 |
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2004 Oct 9-10 |
14% |
41 |
24 |
14 |
7 |
As you may know, President Bush has said he will veto a bill to expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Do you think Bush should - or should not - veto this bill?
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Yes, should |
No, should not |
No opinion |
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2007 Apr 13-15 |
31% |
64 |
5 |
(Asked of those who said they disapprove of Bush's decision to veto the bill) How upset are you that President Bush vetoed this bill - very upset, somewhat upset, not too upset, or not at all upset?
COMBINED RESPONSES: BASED ON NATIONAL ADULTS
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Disapprove, not upset vetoed |
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2006 Jul 21-23 |
36% |
44 |
14 |
6 |
Would you say President Bush vetoed this bill - [ROTATED: mostly on the basis of personal moral beliefs (or) mostly in an attempt to gain political advantage]?
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Personal moral |
Gain political advantage |
No |
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2006 Jul 21-23 |
61% |
32 |
7 |
Next, I'm going to read you a list of issues. Regardless of whether or not you think it should be legal, for each one, please tell me whether you personally believe that in general it is morally acceptable or morally wrong. How about -- medical research using stem cells obtained from human embryos?
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Depends on situation (vol.) |
Not a |
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% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
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2006 May 8-11 |
61 |
30 |
3 |
* |
6 |
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2005 May 2-5 |
60 |
33 |
3 |
-- |
4 |
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2004 May 2-4 |
54 |
37 |
3 |
* |
6 |
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2003 May 5-7 |
54 |
38 |
3 |
-- |
5 |
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2002 May 6-9 |
52 |
39 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
Do you think the federal government should - or should not - fund research that would use newly created stem cells obtained from human embryos?
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Yes, should |
No, should not |
No opinion |
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2005 Aug 5-7 |
56% |
40 |
4 |
How closely have you followed the debate about government funding of stem cell research - very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not closely at all?
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Very |
Somewhat closely |
Not too closely |
Not |
No |
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2005 May 20-22 |
12% |
46 |
27 |
15 |
* |
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2001 Aug 3-5 |
18% |
37 |
22 |
23 |
* |
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2001 Jul 10-11 |
9% |
29 |
28 |
32 |
2 |
As you may know, President Bush gave a speech on stem cell research, and he announced that he WOULD allow the government to fund research using stem cells that have been created in the past in a process that destroyed human embryos. The government will not fund stem cell research that would destroy additional embryos in the future.
Overall, do you approve or disapprove of Bush's decision on stem cell research?
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Approve |
Disapprove |
No opinion |
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2001 Aug 10-12 |
60% |
34 |
6 |
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2001 Aug 9 ^ |
50% |
25 |
25 |
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^ |
Based on one night poll of 581 national adults conducted directly after President Bush's speech on stem cell research. Polls conducted entirely in one day, such as this one, are subject to additional error or bias not found in polls conducted over several days. |
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Do you disapprove because the ban is -- [ROTATED: too strict (or) not strict enough]?
[ASKED OF THOSE WHO DISAPPROVE OF BUSH'S DECISION]
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Too strict |
Not strict enough |
No opinion |
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2001 Aug 10-12 |
36% |
56 |
8 |
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2001 Aug 9 ^ |
28% |
52 |
20 |
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^ |
From one night poll of 581 national adults conducted directly after President Bush's speech on stem cell research, N=152 for this question. Polls conducted entirely in one day, such as this one, are subject to additional error or bias not found in polls conducted over several days. |
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Overall, do you approve or disapprove of Bush's decision on stem cell research? Do you disapprove because the ban is -- [ROTATED: too strict (or) not strict enough]?
(COMBINED RESPONSES)
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2001 Aug 10-12 |
2001 Aug 9 ^ |
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% |
% |
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Approve |
60 |
50 |
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Disapprove |
34 |
25 |
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Too strict |
(12) |
(7) |
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Not strict enough |
(19) |
(13) |
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Don't know |
(3) |
(5) |
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No opinion |
6 |
25 |
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^ |
Based on one night poll of 581 national adults conducted directly after President Bush's speech on stem cell research. Polls conducted entirely in one day, such as this one, are subject to additional error or bias not found in polls conducted over several days. |
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How important is the issue of stem cell research to you -- very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not at all important?
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Very important |
Somewhat important |
Not too important |
Not at all important |
No |
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2001 Aug 10-12 |
36% |
42 |
13 |
8 |
1 |
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2001 Aug 3-5 |
25% |
37 |
21 |
12 |
5 |
Do you think President Bush made his decision on stem cell research -- [ROTATED mostly because of political reasons (or) mostly because of his deeply held beliefs]?
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Political |
Deeply |
Both/neither |
No |
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2001 Aug 10-12 |
52% |
36 |
6 |
6 |
Thinking about embryos that have been created in a laboratory by fertilizing a woman's egg outside the womb and have not been implanted in a woman's womb. Which comes closer to your view about this type of embryo -- [ROTATED: the embryo is a human life that should be given the same protection as all other human lives, (or) the embryo has the potential for life, but is not the same as a life, because it cannot develop on its own]?
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Life to be treated |
Potential for life, |
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2001 Aug 10-12 |
36% |
60 |
4 |
Now I would like to ask about a specific type of research on stem cells developed from human embryos that have been created outside a woman's womb. This kind of stem cell research destroys the embryos but may help find treatments for major diseases. As you may know, fertility clinics increase a woman's chance to have a child by fertilizing several embryos, but only a few are implanted in her womb to enable her to have a baby. Some stem cells are developed from the remaining embryos that the fertility clinics usually discard.
Which comes closest to your view of this kind of stem cell research -- [ROTATED: it is morally wrong and is unnecessary, it is morally wrong, but may be necessary, it is not morally wrong and may be necessary, (or) it is not morally wrong but is unnecessary]?
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Morally wrong, |
Not morally wrong, |
Not morally wrong |
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2001 Aug 10-12 |
18% |
31 |
42 |
5 |
4 |
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2001 Jul 10-11 |
20% |
34 |
35 |
4 |
7 |
As you may know, the federal government is considering whether to fund certain kinds of medical research known as "stem cell research."
Do you think the federal government should or should not fund this type of research?
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Should |
Should not |
Depends (vol.) |
No opinion |
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2001 Aug 3-5 |
55% |
29 |
3 |
13 |
Now I would like to ask about a few specific types of research on stem cells developed from human embryos that have been created outside a woman's womb. This kind of stem cell research destroys the embryos but may help find treatments for major diseases.
As you may know, fertility clinics increase a woman's chance to have a child by fertilizing several embryos, but only a few are implanted in her womb to enable her to have a baby. Some stem cells are developed from the remaining embryos that the fertility clinics usually discard. Do you think the federal government should or should not fund research on stem cells from this kind of embryo?
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Yes, should |
No, should not |
Depends (vol.) |
No opinion |
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2001 Aug 3-5 |
55% |
40 |
2 |
3 |
Some stem cells are developed from embryos that are created in laboratories specifically for the purpose of conducting this research and not to help women have a child. Do you think the federal government should or should not fund research on stem cells from this kind of embryo?
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Yes, should |
No, should not |
Depends (vol.) |
No opinion |
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2001 Aug 3-5 |
46% |
49 |
1 |
4 |
Some stem cells may be developed from embryos produced by cloning cells from a living human being rather than by fertilizing a woman's egg. Do you think the federal government should or should not fund research on stem cells from this kind of embryo?
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Yes, should |
No, should not |
Depends (vol.) |
No opinion |
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2001 Aug 3-5 |
28% |
66 |
5 |
1 |
There is another kind of research using stem cells that come just from adults and do not come from embryos at all. The research results in no injury to the person from whom the stem cells are taken. Do you think the federal government should or should not fund research on this kind of stem cells?
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Yes, should |
No, should not |
Depends (vol.) |
No opinion |
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2001 Aug 3-5 |
68% |
26 |
1 |
5 |
Do you think the federal government should or should not fund this type of research, or don't you know enough to say?
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Don't know enough to say |
No |
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2001 Jul 10-11 |
30% |
13 |
57 |
* |
The kind of stem-cell research the government is considering involves human embryos that have been created in medical clinics by fertilizing a woman's egg outside the womb. An embryo may be implanted into a woman's womb to develop into a baby. If an embryo is not implanted into a woman's womb to develop into a baby, it may be destroyed, either by being discarded or by being used for medical research. Some scientists believe this type of medical research could lead to treatments for such diseases as Alzheimer's, diabetes, heart disease and spinal cord injuries. Given this information, do you think the federal government should or should not fund this type of research?
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Should |
Should not |
No opinion |
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2001 Jul 10-11 |
54% |
39 |
7 |
For each of the following, please tell me if it is -- very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not at all important -- to you personally. How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?
Medical researchers finding cures for diseases such as Alzheimer's, diabetes, heart disease and spinal cord injury
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Very important |
Somewhat important |
Not too important |
Not at all important |
No |
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2001 Jul 10-11 |
82% |
16 |
1 |
1 |
* |
Preventing human embryos from being used in medical research
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Very important |
Somewhat important |
Not too important |
Not at all important |
No |
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2001 Jul 10-11 |
30% |
29 |
20 |
16 |
5 |
One of the issues involved in this type of research is whether or not the embryos used were developed specifically for stem cell research. Do you think the federal government should or should not allow scientists to fertilize human eggs specifically for the purpose of creating new stem cells?
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Yes, should allow |
No, should not |
No opinion |
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2001 Jul 10-11 |
38% |
54 |
8 |
At least one other country currently allows scientists to create human embryos specifically for stem cell research. How concerned are you that other countries will gain a competitive advantage over the U.S. if the government does not allow U.S. scientists to do the same? Are you -- very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not at all concerned?
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Very concerned |
Somewhat concerned |
Not too concerned |
Not at all concerned |
No |
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2001 Jul 10-11 |
12% |
21 |
33 |
33 |
1 |
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