Massachusetts Voters On Stem Cell And SCNT Research

1
Massachusetts Voters On Stem Cell And SCNT
Research
Survey among 606 likely voters in
Massachusetts Conducted March 7 9, 2005 for
2
Survey Methodology

• Survey among 606 voters who say they are certain
  or very likely to vote in the 2006 general
  elections in Massachusetts, conducted March 7
  9, 2005
• Respondents contacted using random-digit-dial
  (RDD) sampling method
• Margin of error 4.0 among the full sample,
  higher among subgroups

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Voters Strongly Support Embryonic Stem Cell
Research
70
63
28
21
Massachusetts
Nationwide/Feb 2005
4
Support For Stem Cell Research Increases With
Explanation
Embryonic stem cells are special cells that can
develop into every type of cell in the human
body. The stem cells are extracted from frozen
embryos in fertility clinics, donated by couples
who no longer intend to use the embryo to
conceive a child. These embryos would therefore
be discarded. The process destroys the embryo.
These stem cells can then reproduce on their own,
creating what is called a line of stem cells
that many researchers can work with. Scientists
believe that there is a good chance that stem
cells can be developed into cures or treatments
for diseases such as cancer, Parkinson's, heart
disease, juvenile diabetes, and spinal cord
injuries.
82
72
25
15
Massachusetts
Nationwide/Feb 2005
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Support For SCNT Very High
Having heard a description of it, do you favor
or oppose SNCT stem cell research?
Not sure
In the SCNT process, scientists remove the DNA
from an unfertilized human egg and replace it
with genetic material, such as skin cells or
heart tissue, from a human patient. No sperm is
used in the process. Scientists then use this
altered egg to grow stem cells that can be used
for research or to treat that patient's disease.
Oppose
Stronglyfavor
80
Before hearing the description, 18 of
Massachusetts voters say they had heard of
somatic cell nuclear transfer, or SCNT.
Somewhatfavor
6
Support For SCNT Very High
Support Among Key Subgroups
All voters Boston media marketRest of
state LiberalsModeratesConservatives CatholicsP
rotestants
80 7981 928164 7678
High school/lessSome collegeCollege
graduates Age 18-34Age 35-49Age 50-64Age
65/over Had heard of SCNTHadnt heard of SCNT
837977 86808171 8678
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Voters Endorse Cloning For Research,But
Differentiate Reproductive Therapeutic Cloning
Cloning specifically designed to result in a
human birth
Cloning that doesnt result in human birth, but
is designed to develop stem cells for medical
research
Not sure
Not sure
Disapprove
Approve
Approve
Disapprove
8
Voters Favor Stem Cell Legislation
Overall Support for Bill toSupport Stem Cell
Researchin Massachusetts
Not sure
Oppose
Strongly favor
81
Somewhat favor
9
Voters Favor Stem Cell Legislation
Support Among Key Subgroups
All voters Boston media marketRest of
state LiberalsModeratesConservatives CatholicsP
rotestants
81 8277 958562 7678
High school/lessSome collegeCollege
graduates Age 18-34Age 35-49Age 50-64Age
65/over
788282 86868467
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Voters Agree With Bills Supporters On Cloning
With which side do you agree more?
SUPPORTERS of the legislation say that because
the altered egg is never fertilized or implanted
in a womb, SCNT research is NOT the same thing as
reproductive cloning to create a new human life.
SCNT will only be used to find cures for
diseases, and the legislation makes it illegal to
use cloning to create a human being.
Not sure
Agree more with bills supporters
Agree more with bills opponents
OPPONENTS of the legislation say that SCNT
research is really human cloning, because it
creates a genetically complete human embryo whose
DNA is identical to the adult cell donor. If we
cross the line and permit human cloning, this
will eventually lead to cloning babies, no matter
what supporters say now.
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Voters Agree With Bills Supporters On Promise Of
SCNT Research
With which side do you agree more?
SUPPORTERS of the legislation say that SCNT has
important scientific advantages over traditional
stem cell research. It will provide scientists
with many diverse types of stem cell lines for
their research, and it is more likely to lead to
successful treatments because a patient's immune
system will only accept new cells with the
patient's own DNA.
Not sure
Agree more with bills supporters
Agree more with bills opponents
OPPONENTS of the legislation say that
traditional stem cell research using frozen
embryos from fertility clinics is acceptable, but
SCNT goes too far. It is not ethical to allow
scientists to create human life in the laboratory
and then destroy it.
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Arguments Against Stem Cell Legislation
SCNT starts us down path to cloning
humans Alzheimers/other diseases too complex for
stem cell therapy raises false hope SCNT no
better than Nazi experiments on Jewish people
30
21
14
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Arguments For Stem Cell Legislation
SCNT best hope for many diseases govt should
do all it can to support SCNT Patients bodies
dont reject SCNT-created stem cells SCNT would
bring millions of research dollars, create
thousands of jobs in MA
66
64
51
14
Bills Support Remains Strong
Final Support for Bill Promoting SCNT Stem Cell
Research in Massachusetts
Not sure
Stronglyoppose
Strongly favor
Somewhat oppose
76
Somewhat favor
15
Massachusetts Voters On Stem Cell And SCNT
Research
Survey among 606 likely voters in
Massachusetts Conducted March 7 9, 2005 for