Overall, a majority of Americans—58 percent—now strongly or somewhat favor embryonic stem cell research, up from 53 percent in the 2004 survey and 47 percent in the 2003 survey. Now, only 32 percent strongly or somewhat oppose embryonic stem cell research, down from 36 percent in the 2004 survey and 44 percent in the 2003 survey. Views on embryonic stem cell research continue to be related to views on abortion and religion.
Looks like a losing issue for the Republicans
But other news in the poll
When asked to choose from statements representing the three main theories of the origin of biological life, 42 percent said that the “creationist” view—that God directly created biological life in its present form at one point in time—was closest to their own views about life’s origin. Twenty-six percent selected a statement representing “intelligent design”—that biological life developed over time from simple substances, but God guided this process. Another 17 percent chose a view reflecting “evolution”—that biological life developed over time from simple substances, but God did not guide this process.
Well while there is promise with adult embryonic stem cells, the militant stem cell supporters will attack it on the basis of adult stem cells lacking the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. while this may or may not be true, new research is starting to show that some adult stem cells retain this ability and can differentiate into any type of cell and i think given the choice most americans would rather pick adult stem cells versus ones that come from embryos.
I think one problem in this debate is that were focusing more on the actual issue of life instead of the federal funding issue and potential pluripotency of adult stem cells. Focusing on the last two seem more winnable to me at this point.