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Assess US public opinion on government funding for human embryonic stem (HES) cell research by asking for their views on different applications of stem cell research. 

Almost 2300 US citizens were interviewed about their views on five key areas said to relate to human embryonic stem cell research, focusing on the source of the cells used and the projected outcomes from the research: cloning animals, cloning humans, curing serious diseases by therapeutic cloning or by using stem cells from an IVF embryo, curing serious diseases using adult stem cells, and cosmetic uses. 

Most participants were opposed to cloning humans, with somewhat higher levels of support for cosmetic applications and cloning animals. Support was much higher for curing serious diseases, at around 70% for all the approaches listed, though somewhat lower for treating less serious diseases such as allergies.

The American public has different attitudes towards the various applications of stem cell research, but there was generally strong support for ‘all that offer hope of curing serious diseases’. Government policy, by ‘deferring to objections from a small (mainly religious) minority’ is suggested to be unethical in limiting funding for HES cell research.

Review of public attitudes in shaping policy is a good idea, to place alongside the views of politicians who represent the public. However, the to conclude that public opinion provides an obvious mandate for government funding of HES cell research is a bit of a leap; not only was this specific question not addressed, but there was also possible bias in the questions posed. For example, those about therapeutic cloning refers to stem cells from IVF embryos as ‘amazing’ and having ‘no risk’ of rejection whereas adult stem cells were said to be ‘not well understood, and occasionally the new cells become cancerous’.