US study and poll favour stem cell research

A report from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) says that stem cell research - both embryo and adult - promises a 'dazzling array' of potential treatments for disease. But the report, published last week, says that in some cases, embryonic stem cells are 'clearly superior'.

The study was ordered as part of the review of federal policy on embryonic stem cells by the Bush administration. It says 'all avenues of research should be exhaustively investigated, including both adult and embryonic sources of tissue'. The report confirms the view of scientists, but has yet to convince the Bush administration, which remains divided over the ethical issues involved in embryo stem cell research.

Similarly, a poll of 1,022 randomly selected adults has been conducted by the US ABC News network in conjunction with Beliefnet. The results show that twice the amount of Americans favour stem cell research as those that do not. The poll, which also breaks down supporters and opponents of the research into ethnic, religious, class and gender groups, also shows that most Americans believe that there should be federal funding of all stem cell research. Among all groups identified, opposition was highest amongst those who believed abortion should be illegal in all cases.