Poll Finds Support in Georgia for Stem Cell Research - Diabetes and Stem Cell Research in Georgia

Poll Finds Support in Georgia for Stem Cell Research
September 21, 2006
JIM GALLOWAY
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgians overwhelmingly favor embryonic stem cell research, according to a poll released Wednesday by a biomedical industry group eager to deter state Republican efforts to prohibit some scientific procedures — and even apply criminal penalties.

The survey is the first statewide examination of public opinion on the topic and outlines the dilemma that stem cell research poses for Republicans.

Opposition to the research — which scientists say has the potential to cure a host of afflictions — is strongest among religious conservatives, the core of the GOP base. But they are outnumbered by a bipartisan bloc of stem cell supporters who — with some restrictions — would like to see scientists unleashed.

"After much deliberation, voters have come down on the side of medical research," said Whit Ayres, who conducted the survey and whose national clients include Republican U.S. senators Lindsay Graham of South Carolina and Lamar Alexander and Bill Frist of Tennesee.

The survey was funded by the Georgia Biomedical Partnership, an industry association representing more than 180 "life science" groups — businesses as well as the research arms of Georgia Tech, Emory University and the University of Georgia.

Conducted this month, the poll sampled 600 registered Georgia voters and has a margin of error of 4 percentage points.

Among the survey's findings:

• Sixty-three percent of those polled declared their support for research on stem cells using donated embryos from fertility clinics that would otherwise be discarded. Support was higher among Democrats and independents. Among Republicans, support dropped to 50 percent.

• Fifty-three percent of all those polled supported "therapeutic cloning," a still-theoretical procedure in which an embryo could be created using a human subject's genetic material — capable of producing needed cells, tissues or organs that wouldn't be subject to rejection.

• Two-thirds said that any medical research allowed by federal law should be permitted in Georgia.

• While they express support for embryonic stem cell research, Georgians are aware of the ethical dilemma it poses. Support drops below 50 percent when those surveyed were asked if they approved of research on embryos created in laboratories for the sole purpose of generating stem cells.

Stem cells obtained from human embryos after the first few days of fertilization have become a focus for scientists because of the cells' ability to morph into tissue of nearly any kind — offering hope for afflictions such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's diseases, spinal cord damage, and juvenile diabetes.

But conservatives in many Christian denominations, including Catholics and Southern Baptists, maintain that life begins at fertilization, and that embryos — no matter what stage of development — should be held as sacred as all other human life.

Opponents of embryonic stem cell research point to adult stem cells as an alternative — although researchers say adult stem cells are not as potent, because they don't have the flexibility to transform into a wide range of tissue.

Even so, 85 percent of those polled in the survey said the possibilities of adult stem cells are worth additional exploration.

Legislation spawned poll

The Georgia Biomedical Partnership ordered up the poll in direct response to legislation introduced in the state Senate earlier this year.

The main topic of Senate Bill 596, sponsored by state Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth) involved the creation of a bank for post-birth tissue, which is rich in adult stem cells.

But as first introduced, the bill — signed by most Republicans in the Senate — included a ban on "human cloning," with penalties of 10 years' imprisonment and civil fines of up to $1 million.

Shafer disputes it, but biotech interests said the bill — which did not pass — would have effectively banned research into therapeutic cloning in the state, and would have sent a chill through the ranks of researchers.

"We're certainly going to make sure that all our elected officials know the results," said Charles Craig, president of the Georgia Biomedical Partnership. "And we're going to use it to challenge any attempt that may come up in the Legislature in 2007 that would attempt to criminalize embryonic stem cell research and therapeutic cloning."

Shafer, the Duluth senator, said he intends to propose new legislation next year to provide funding to encourage research in adult stem cells. He does not plan to address the topic of embryonic stem cell research — though he considers it likely that another lawmaker will.

"I'm not in favor of prohibiting anything like that. I'm not in favor of it. ... What I was trying to do was draw a line at the creation of a duplicate human in the laboratory, for stem cell research or any other purpose," he said.

For politicians, perhaps the most revealing finding by the poll is who is best at persuading the public.

Forty-eight percent said they were more likely to listen to medical and patient organizations such as the American Medical Association or the Parkinson's Action Network.

Fifty-six said opposition expressed by religious groups, such as the National Catholic Conference or Focus on the Family, had "no effect."

The poll also shows that those most passionate about embryonic stem cell research are its advocates — not its opponents.

Stephen Riddell, 47, is an Atlanta attorney who was diagnosed 14 years ago with Type I diabetes. He's on the board of the Georgia chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Riddell wears an insulin pump, and has become a bit impatient with politicians. "A lot of people feel like the researchers are held back right now," Riddell said.

But for Republican politicians, the issue looks more like a walk across a tightrope.

Gov. Sonny Perdue this spring ordered the creation of the adult stem cell bank that S.B. 596 attempted to create.

But on Wednesday, a Perdue spokesman declined to say whether he supports embryonic stem cell research.

His Democratic opponent did not hesitate. "Mark Taylor agrees with Nancy Reagan that this research should be conducted because of the potential medical breakthroughs," said Taylor spokesman Rick Dent.