Majority Finds Stem-Cell Research Acceptable

Slightly more than half of Americans surveyed say they view stem-cell research involving human embryos to be morally acceptable, a Gallup poll has found.

Surveyed in May, 54% of Americans said “medical research using stem cells obtained from human embryos” is morally acceptable while 38% said such studies are morally wrong.

Some scientists have said such research could lead to cures and treatments for such illnesses as Parkinson’s disease and diabetes, but opponents say human embryos should not be used.

There are stronger divisions on the research depending on people’s position on abortion.

Seventy-one percent of those who support abortion rights say such stem-cell research is morally acceptable, while 38% of those with anti-abortion views agree with that view.

Researchers also compared church attendance to viewpoints on the research. Thirty-eight percent of those who attend church weekly said such research was morally acceptable, compared with 56% who attend church almost weekly and 67% of those who seldom or never attend.

The survey results have a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.