Thursday, July 17, 2008

Stem Cell Polling   [Yuval Levin]

Ruy Teixeira, whose insights and work I generally regard very highly, has just produced an opinion snapshot on public views of stem cell research for the Center for American Progress that is, unfortunately, a classic example of what is wrong with public opinion surveys on this issue. Teixeira confidently asserts that the public backs embryo-destructive research and wants the Bush funding policy overturned. For evidence he cites poll questions like this one from an NBC/Wall Street Journal poll from 2004:

There is a type of medical research that involves using special cells, called stem cells, that are obtained from human embryos. These human embryo stem cells are then used to generate new cells and tissue that could help treat or cure many diseases. I am now going to read you two statements about this type of research.

 

Statement A: Those OPPOSED to this type of research say that it crosses an ethical line by using cells from potentially viable human embryos, when this research can be done on animals or by using other types of cells.

 

Statement B: Those IN FAVOR of this research say that it could lead to breakthrough cures for many diseases, such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and spinal cord injuries, and this research uses only embryos that otherwise would be discarded.

 

Who do you agree with more: those opposed or those in favor?

 

Teixeira reports that 71 percent of respondents said they favored the research, but fails to note that, as is readily apparent from the question, they were not told that the research actually involved killing the embryos.

On the funding question, he notes that:

a late October 2006 Newsweek poll found that 50 percent favored “using federal tax dollars to fund medical research using stem cells obtained from human embryos,” with only 37 percent opposed.

But of course tax dollars do fund such research now, and have since 2001 when the Bush administration began such funding. The question is whether the funding should be used in a way that encourages the further destruction of embryos.

My point is not that in fact the public opposes such research, but rather that public understanding of the issues involved (both scientific and ethical) is very poor and opinions turn out to be extremely malleable and indeterminate. The Ethics and Public Policy Center, where I work, tested that point with a poll a few months ago that sought to dig a little deeper than most polling on these issues, and it turned out that the context and wording of questions made an enormous difference, and that, in essence, there really is no such thing as public opinion on stem cell research. Consider these two questions from our poll, asked of the very same people just moments apart:

The social, economic and personal costs of the diseases that embryonic stem cells have the potential to treat are greater than the costs associated with the destruction of embryos.

54% TOTAL AGREE
39% TOTAL DISAGREE

And

An embryo is a developing human life, therefore it should not be destroyed for scientific or research purposes.

62% TOTAL AGREE
33% TOTAL DISAGREE

Anyone who claims public opinion is behind them on these issues is fooling themselves. My analysis of our polling, from the spring issue of the New Atlantis, is here.

07/17 04:36 PMShare