VCU Poll Reveals Reasons to be Encouraged
BY Dave Andrusko

A nationwide study of 1,002 adults released by Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) has painted a far more accurate, if still incomplete, picture of Americans attitudes towards all forms of stem cell research and human cloning.

Among the most encouraging results is that far more people believe that the "greatest promise for discovering new treatments for disease" is in stem cells found in umbilical cord blood (37%) than from embryonic stem cells (only 14%).The survey results can be read at www.vcu.edu/uns/Releases/2005/oct/102405a.html.

According to the university's web page, the VCU Life Sciences Survey was conducted by telephone nationwide September 14–29. It is the fifth annual VCU Life Sciences Survey conducted by the VCU Center for Public Policy through its Survey and Evaluation Research Laboratory. The margin of error was plus or minus 3%.

* Among the highlights of the poll was a section titled "More Americans Favor Embryonic Stem Cell Research; But See More Promise in Research Using Other Sources of Stem Cells." Both statements reflect what respondents said but need clarification and amplification.

The VCU explanation notes, "Even with a greater number of Americans saying they support embryonic stem cell research, only 14 percent believe that embryonic stem cell research holds the greatest promise for discovering new treatments for disease, compared to other types of stem cell research. Thirty-seven percent believe that research using stem cells from other sources, such as an umbilical cord, holds the greatest promise, while 7 percent feel that research using adult stem cells holds the greatest promise for disease treatment."

Interestingly, two-thirds of the respondents said they "were either very clear or somewhat clear on the difference between stem cells that come from human embryos; stem cells that come from adults; and stem cells that come from other sources, such as an umbilical cord." Pro-lifers have pounded and pounded and pounded away at the myth that cells from human embryos are really unique and/or have shown results and this poll indicates we have made headway.

* There are a couple of questions about human cloning that, if read carefully, are most illuminating. Proponents of human cloning like to pretend there are two kinds of cloning: so-called "therapeutic" and "reproductive."

But there is absolutely no difference in the cloning technique. The difference is what happens to the human clone. In the former case, the clone is harvested for stem cells. In the latter case (theoretically), the cloned human being would be carried to term and delivered.

The respondents were told, "The technology now exists to clone or genetically alter animals," and were then asked, "How much do you favor or oppose allowing the same thing to be done in humans?" Four in five opposed. This is consistent, perhaps even a tad lower than what the real figure is.

Then they were asked, "Do you favor or oppose using human cloning technology IF it is used ONLY to help medical research develop new treatments for disease?" A total of 43% said they support--17% strong, 26% somewhat. By contrast, 51% oppose--35% strongly and 16% somewhat.

This was followed up with, "Do you favor or oppose using human cloning technology IF it is used to create human embryos that will provide stem cells for human therapeutic purposes?" Only 11% strongly favored this while another 23% somewhat favored.

How about opponents? We learn that 18% somewhat oppose this and 41% strongly oppose! In other words, 59% voice opposition to 34% in favor--even when the best possible spin is put on human cloning (for "human therapeutic purposes").

We have reason to be encouraged.