Stem Cell Research

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll (July 21-24, 2006)

"Do you favor or oppose expanding federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, which is the practice of conducting scientific research on cells extracted from human embryos in an attempt to find cures or treatments for diseases?"

Favor - 68%

Oppose - 27%

Unsure - 5%

"Recently, President Bush vetoed the bill which would have expanded federal funding for stem cell research. Do you favor or oppose his decision not to expand funding for this?"

Favor - 31%

Oppose - 63%

Unsure - 6%

"If your member of Congress voted in favor of expanding federal funding for stem cell research, would this make you more likely to vote for him or her in this November's election, less likely to vote for him or her, or would it make no difference to you either way?"

More Likely - 33%

Less Likely - 19%

No Difference - 44%

Unsure - 4%

This poll shows overwhelming support FOR stem cell research USING embryonic stem cells. Congress has had little backlash for approving stem cell research. The roadblock to expanded research is President Bush and 27% of America. 68% want stem cell research to occur with the proposed legislation backed by Republicans and Democrats alike. But within Congress there is not enough support to overcome the Presidents veto.

Currently private sector lines are what people believe should be used, not government funded lines. But with the burden on the private sector many scientists are leaving the United States and going to other countries where they have greater support. This means that the United States is loosing its edge on the rest of the world.

But President Bush’s veto is not the only problem with this declining edge. Our educational system has been failing, culminating in President Bush’s NCLB Act. Corporations have also been pushed to achieve higher profits by shareholders, and thus expensive research, such as stem cells, which has little short-term profits, is taking a back seat. Thus the government must look into how it can aid research. Public funding is one answer. No corporation will, by itself, be able to fund and research all the possibilities with stem cells; it would be too expensive. But with over 300 million people, enough long-term capital could be achieved. I would have to disagree with people who say that it is not the government's place to be involved. If not the government, who?!?!?