Public Support For Stem Cell Research Rising

Fight Aging!

Do you want to live a longer life in good health? Simple practices can make some difference, such as exercise or calorie restriction. But over the long haul all that really matters is progress in medicine: building new classes of therapy to repair and reverse the known root causes of aging. The sooner these treatments arrive, the more lives will be saved. Find out how to help »

WebMD notes that public support for stem cell research is rising (and there's more on the same theme at the Fight Aging! blog). "When asked for their initial views on medical research using human embryos, a survey conducted in 2001 showed 48% of Americans supported it and 43% were opposed. This survey shows that margin has grown to 60% and 26%. When the potential benefits of stem cell research were explained in a separate question, overall support rose to 72% with 23% opposed." Research advocates have been working hard to educate people over the past few years. I think that increased public support stems from a greater understanding of what is actually involved in this research and the nature of the potential benefits.

Link: http://my.webmd.com/content/Article/88/100108?printing=true