News Release: Michigan Catholic Conference Applauds Plummeting Support for Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Urges Continued Support for Adult Stem Cell Research

(LANSING)—Michigan Catholic Conference Vice President for Public Policy Paul A. Long made the following comment today after President Bush vetoed legislation that would have required national funding for stem cell research that kills human embryos:

“It is encouraging that the progress and awareness of adult stem cell research has helped to drive support for federally funded embryonic stem cell research down to 53 percent. While the public must be continually made aware of the ethical and proven advancements made by adult stem cell research, Michigan Catholic Conference is urging the Governor and like-minded supporters to abandon their efforts to overturn Michigan’s 30-year policy of protecting human embryos from destruction.”

The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll, taken May 4–6, 2007 with a margin of error of 3 percent, asks the following question: “Do you think the federal government should or should not fund research that would use newly created stem cells obtained from human embryos?” Some 53 percent of those polled said the government should fund such research, with 41 percent saying it should not and six percent unsure.

According to a Public Opinion Strategies poll commissioned by the Michigan Catholic Conference on April 14–16, 2007, 85 percent of Michigan residents support stem cell research that uses adult stem cells or stem cells from umbilical cords, with 12 percent opposed. The poll surveyed 500 likely voters with a margin of error of 4.38 percent.

Michigan Catholic Conference is the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in this state.

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