Conservative Voters Support Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Contradicting Common Perception

Strategic Insights -

A national survey conducted by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation revealed that a significant majority of conservative voters support embryonic stem cell research, a topic often associated with opposition from conservative groups. In the poll of 600 self-identified conservative voters, 56% expressed support for medical research using stem cells obtained from embryos that are frozen in fertility clinics and will be discarded if they are not donated by the parents. Furthermore, 34% of those polled strongly supported embryonic stem cell research, and 22% somewhat supported it. The survey also found that conservative voters rank embryonic stem cell research as a low priority in their electoral decision-making process.

Key Takeaways:

  • 56% of conservative voters surveyed supported embryonic stem cell research, compared to 36% who opposed it and 8% who were unsure.
  • 34% of those polled strongly supported embryonic stem cell research, and 22% somewhat supported it.
  • Only 1% of voters identified embryonic stem cell research as a major factor in their electoral decision-making process, ranking it behind taxes and spending, jobs and the economy, abortion, military, defense, and foreign policy, terrorism and homeland security, education.
  • 44% of conservative voters polled agreed that the policy on embryonic stem cell research in the U.S. should be broadened.
  • 23% of those polled believed the policy should remain the same, while 23% thought it should be contracted.
  • 61% of respondents said they were aware of the issues surrounding embryonic stem cell research.
  • 70% of respondents said they always or most often vote in Republican primary elections, and 59% said they attend church or religious services at least once a week.

Statistics:

  • 56% of conservative voters supported embryonic stem cell research.
  • 36% opposed embryonic stem cell research.
  • 8% were unsure about supporting or opposing embryonic stem cell research.
  • 34% strongly supported embryonic stem cell research.
  • 22% somewhat supported embryonic stem cell research.
  • 44% believed the policy on embryonic stem cell research in the U.S. should be broadened.
  • 23% believed the policy should remain the same.
  • 23% believed the policy should be contracted.
  • 61% of respondents were aware of the issues surrounding embryonic stem cell research.
  • 70% of respondents always or most often vote in Republican primary elections.
  • 59% of respondents attend church or religious services at least once a week.

Sources:

  • JDRF-sponsored poll of 600 self-identified conservative voters, with a margin of error of +/- 4%.
  • Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, founded in 1970 by the parents of children with juvenile (Type 1) diabetes.
  • JDRF has provided more than $680 million to diabetes research worldwide, including approximately $300 million over the past three years.
  • JDRF consistently ranks as one of the top-rated foundations, with more than 80 percent of annual expenditures directly supporting research and research-related education.