Missouri Residents Back Embryonic Stem Cell Research Prop in New Poll

Bioethics   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Sep 15, 2006   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Missouri Residents Back Embryonic Stem Cell Research Prop in New Poll Email this article
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
September 15
, 2006

Jefferson City, MO (LifeNews.com) — Pro-life groups in Missouri have their work cut out for them because a new poll shows that a majority of state residents are in favor of a proposal on the November ballot that promotes both human cloning and embryonic stem cell research.

The new poll was conducted by Survey USA, from September 11-13 and 802 registered voters were interviewed for it.

The results showed 52 percent of Missouri residents would back Amendment 2 while 24 percent are opposed and another 24 percent are undecided.

The question simply asked voters if they would support Amendment 2, the stem cell initiative. The question made no mention of the fact that the proposal would also have the state backing human cloning for research purposes — a practice polls routinely show most Americans strongly oppose.

The Survey USA poll found men backed Amendment 2 by a 51-25 margin and women backed it 54-23 percent. Younger Missouri residents were less likely to support it while those over 65 were the most likely.

Republicans opposed the measure by a 31-46 percent margin with Democrats (71-7) and Independents (53-21) backing it.

Though embryonic stem cell research has strong support from scientists and academics, though with college degrees or grad school degrees were more likely to oppose the measure than those with less education.

Wealthy Missouri residents were more opposed to it than poorer state citizens, Kansas City showed more opposition than other regions of the state (St. Louis had the most support) and urban voters were more supportive than rural voters.

Black Missourians were the most supportive while Hispanics were the most opposed to it. White Missouri residents were in the middle.

KCTV-TV in Kansas City and KSDK-TV in St. Louis sponsored the poll.