Shifting public opinions on embryonic stem cell research?
The Pew Research Center released the following survey report today:
GOP the Religion-Friendly Party
But Stem Cell Issue May Help Democrats
While society has been tempted with the false hope that cures for certain diseases are just around the corner, if and only if we would ‘move out of the dark ages’ and ‘progress into the 21st century’ by embracing embryonic stem cell research , we get the following poll report on the public’s view of the issue….
But a second policy debate with a strong religious linkage embryonic stem cell research is emerging as an issue that may help the Democrats. The stem cell controversy is growing in visibility, and a majority of the public (52%) now feels that the potential benefits of such research are more important than preserving the embryos that would be destroyed up from 43% in March 2002.
…
while 61% of college graduates say it is more important to conduct such research than to not destroy embryos more than any other education category — there has been a bigger shift on this issue among high school graduates. In March 2002, only about a third of high school graduates (34%) said it was more important to pursue stem cell research than to not destroy embryos. In the current survey, nearly half (49%) express that view.
However, the results of this poll may not be an accurate representation from the fact stem cell research continues to be talked about only in terms of ‘embryonic’ research. The poll question is framed in a way that links ’stem cell research’ as being singularly ‘embryonic’ in nature and doesn’t inform the public of the other type which doesn’t involve the killing of embryos - adult stem cell research. I am confused by the persistence of so many to only focus on the type that involves killing. If the research data is what we want, why are we neglecting adult stem cell research to focus on embryonic stem cell research? Aren’t more options better?
Without a clear and consistent distinction between ‘embryonic’ and ‘adult stem cell’ research, the issue is still as cloudy as before and the public is not served by the results of this poll. I guess the murkiness here shouldn’t be surprising as the enemy has never been concerned about truth and will continue to use propaganda or whatever means to keep us in the dark.
