U.S. Stem Cell Advocacy Groups Gear Up for Election 2012

Abstract

Research!America has been gauging public attitudes toward medical, health, and scientific research since 1992, and polling Americans on stem cell research since 2002.“Our polling has said for years that the majority of Americans favor hESC research,” Dehoney says, a finding that stem cell advocates say underscores the importance of educating the public and politicians about the research.“The more people learn and understand about the technology, the more they support it,” says Werner.Research!America regards polling as a key part of its strategy, Dehoney says, and the results have fueled the alliance's efforts to highlight the gap between public opinion and political will.“We know representatives listen to their constituents,” Dehoney says. “If Congress wants to roll back to Bush and beyond, I'd say it's going to be a steep climb.” Research!America also runs voter education initiatives that ask presidential and congressional candidates where they stand on the matter of hESC research, and call on voters to press candidates for answers.“There's so much support for hESC research I have trouble imagining anyone tolerating it going backward,” Rick adds. “There's so much exciting work going on that I can't imagine Congress putting a halt to it. I think there'd be an outcry.”