Senate debates embryonic stem cell research; Americans ambivalent
September 17, 2010
Americans are strongly opposed to human cloning and ambivalent about human embryonic stem cell research, according to a poll commissioned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Even after being told that during human embryonic stem cell research, “live embryos would be destroyed in their first week of development to obtain these cells,” 38% supported federal funding of the practice, while 47% opposed it. Only 12% of those surveyed agreed that “scientists be allowed to use human cloning to create a supply of human embryos to be destroyed in medical research.”
As the Senate discussed the issue on September 16, Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa-- a Catholic-- spoke out strongly in favor of federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research. Discussion of the issue has returned to Capitol Hill after a federal judge temporarily halted federal funding of the practice.
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Further information:
- New Poll: Americans Continue to Oppose Tax Funding for Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Support Ethical Alternatives (USCCB)
- Cloning: An Affront to Human Dignity (CUF)
- Judge rejects Obama administration’s request to lift stem-cell funding ban (CWN, 9/8)
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