This page reports results of public opinion
surveys on the new human genetic and reproductive technologies.
There is a bias towards Europe, Canada, and especially the United
States, where more polling data is available. All numbers are
percents unless otherwise noted. Not all results were readily
available, and are indicated by a hyphen.
 May
2003 - Biotechnology Australia
January 2003 - Gallup
January
2003 - EOS Gallup Europe
January
2003 - Leger Marketing Candian poll
Late
2002 - Discovery Channel International Poll
October
2002 - Genetics and Public Policy Center
May
2002 - CBS News
May
2002 - Gallup
April
2002 - Stop Human Cloning
April
2002 - Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research
April
2002 - Americans to Ban Cloning
February
/ March 2002 - The Pew Research Center for the People and the
Press
February
2002 - Fox News
2002
- Biotechnology Australia
November
/ December 2001 - Ipsos-Reid
November
2001 - CNN/USA Today/Gallup
August
2001 - ABCNEWS/Beliefnet
August
2001 - Leger Marketing Canadian poll
July
2001 - Zogby
April
/ May 2001 - Biotechnology Australia
February
2001 - Time/CNN
Fall
2000 - System Three Scottish poll
March
2000 - PricewaterhouseCoopers Canadian poll
August
1999 - Novartis UK poll
July
1999 - Biotechnology Australia
February
1998 - CTV / Angus Reid
1997
- Harris Research UK poll
1996
- National Center for Genome Resources
1994 - Macer Japan and Australia poll
December
1993 - Time/CNN
1992
- March of Dimes
1992
- Macer Japan and New Zealand poll
1987
- Office of Technology Assessment
May 2003 - Biotechnology
Australia
- Survey population: 1000 adult Australians
- Conducted by Market Attitude Research Services
|
Morally acceptable?
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Human cloning
|
-
|
87
|
Genetic testing of embryos
|
61
|
-
|
Correction of genetic disorders for embryos
|
79
|
-
|
Gene therapy to cure genetic diseases
|
84
|
-
|
Source:
Back to top
January 2003 - Gallup
- Survey population: 1000 adult Americans
- Date of survey: May 3 to 5, 2003
- Margin of error: 3%
|
Cloning designed specifically to produce
a child should be...
|
Legal
|
Illegal
|
|
General population
|
11
|
86
|
| - Men |
15
|
-
|
| - Women |
7
|
-
|
| - Age 18 to 29 |
15
|
-
|
| - Age 30 to 49 |
10
|
-
|
| - Age 50 to 64 |
11
|
-
|
| - Age 65+ |
7
|
-
|
Source:
Back to top
January 2003 - EOS Gallup Europe
- Survey population: 30 Countries
Tell me if you absolutely agree, rather agree, rather
disagree or absolutely disagree with… |
The reproductive cloning, meaning the identical
reproduction of human beings |
The therapeutic cloning, meaning the identical
reproduction of human cells |
|
Agree
|
Disagree
|
Agree
|
Disagree
|
| EU 15 average |
5
|
93
|
55
|
43
|
- Belgium
|
4
|
94
|
63
|
35
|
- Denmark
|
5
|
93
|
62
|
35
|
| - Germany |
6
|
94
|
43
|
57
|
| - Greece |
5
|
93
|
33
|
65
|
| - Spain |
7
|
87
|
79
|
18
|
| - France |
4
|
96
|
57
|
42
|
| - Ireland |
4
|
93
|
37
|
59
|
| - Italy |
4
|
95
|
65
|
33
|
| - Luxembourg |
4
|
95
|
56
|
42
|
| - Netherlands |
5
|
95
|
48
|
51
|
| - Austria |
3
|
94
|
39
|
54
|
| - Portugal |
10
|
85
|
72
|
22
|
| - Finland |
4
|
92
|
43
|
51
|
| - Sweden |
4
|
91
|
51
|
44
|
| - United Kingdom |
7
|
92
|
47
|
46
|
|
| CC 13 average |
12
|
81
|
44
|
47
|
| - Bulgaria |
8
|
80
|
47
|
36
|
| - Cyprius |
5
|
85
|
45
|
44
|
| - Czech Republic |
8
|
87
|
46
|
51
|
| - Estonia |
10
|
84
|
59
|
32
|
| - Hungary |
2
|
95
|
59
|
37
|
| - Latvia |
8
|
85
|
50
|
39
|
| - Lithuania |
9
|
71
|
43
|
36
|
| - Malta |
7
|
85
|
58
|
34
|
| - Poland |
8
|
83
|
48
|
42
|
| - Romania |
11
|
85
|
49
|
47
|
| - Slovakia |
18
|
81
|
51
|
49
|
| - Slovenia |
6
|
93
|
41
|
55
|
| - Turkey |
17
|
73
|
36
|
54
|
|
Tell me if you absolutely agree, rather
agree, rather disagree or absolutely disagree with therapeutic
cloning, meaning the identical
reproduction of human cells
|
EU15
|
CC13
|
|
Sex
|
Agree
|
Disagree
|
Agree
|
Disagree
|
| - Female |
51
|
46
|
44
|
47
|
| - Male |
59
|
39
|
44
|
47
|
|
Age
|
Agree
|
Disagree
|
Agree
|
Disagree
|
| - 15-24 |
67
|
32
|
49
|
44
|
| - 25-39 |
55
|
42
|
48
|
46
|
| - 40-54 |
56
|
42
|
41
|
50
|
| - > 55 |
47
|
49
|
39
|
48
|
|
Education
|
Agree
|
Disagree
|
Agree
|
Disagree
|
| - < 15 |
50
|
45
|
34
|
53
|
| - 16-20 |
52
|
47
|
46
|
47
|
| - > 21 |
58
|
40
|
53
|
41
|
|
Professional-Occupation
|
Agree
|
Disagree
|
Agree
|
Disagree
|
| - Self-Employed |
56
|
41
|
41
|
52
|
| - Employee (non-manual) |
55
|
43
|
51
|
43
|
| - Manual Worker |
54
|
44
|
45
|
48
|
| - Currently Not Working |
54
|
43
|
42
|
48
|
|
Religion
|
Agree
|
Disagree
|
Agree
|
Disagree
|
| - Christian |
54
|
44
|
48
|
43
|
| - Another Religion |
51
|
45
|
36
|
60
|
| - Non-Believer |
58
|
38
|
53
|
43
|
|
Political Sympathy
|
Agree
|
Disagree
|
Agree
|
Disagree
|
| - Left |
59
|
40
|
49
|
45
|
| - Right |
51
|
47
|
44
|
48
|
| - Middle |
50
|
48
|
44
|
47
|
| - Neither Left nor Right |
55
|
40
|
44
|
48
|
Source:
Back to top
January 2003 - Leger Marketing
Canadian poll
- Survey population: 1500 Canadians
- Date of survey: January 6 to 12, 2003
- Margin of error: 2.5%
|
Support / Favor / Yes
|
Against / No
|
|
The media recently reported the birth
of two cloned babies. In relation to this news, are you
for or against
the cloning of human beings?
|
5
|
84
|
| - Age 18-24 |
15
|
-
|
| - Age 65+ |
2
|
93
|
| - Atlantic provinces |
4
|
83
|
| - Quebec |
5
|
89
|
| - Ontario |
5
|
83
|
| - Prairies |
4
|
85
|
| - Alberta |
6
|
82
|
| - British Columbia |
4
|
81
|
| Are you for or against the cloning of human
embryos for the creation of stem cells that could be used
in transplants, organ replacements or in the prevention
or treatment of diseases that are presently incurable? |
53
|
32
|
| - Age 18-24 |
66
|
-
|
| - Atlantic provinces |
50
|
36
|
| - Quebec |
58
|
37
|
| - Ontario |
55
|
29
|
| - Prairies |
46
|
34
|
| - Alberta |
50
|
33
|
| - British Columbia |
50
|
26
|
| Would you personally like to be cloned? |
4
|
93
|
| - Men |
6
|
90
|
| - Women |
1
|
96
|
| - Atlantic provinces |
1
|
96
|
| - Quebec |
3
|
96
|
| - Ontario |
4
|
93
|
| - Prairies |
1
|
95
|
| - Alberta |
7
|
88
|
| - British Columbia |
4
|
91
|
| Do you think the federal government should legislate to... |
ban all types of cloning that create
stems cells or living beings...
|
or only ban the cloning of living human
beings?
|
Not banning any
cloning at all
|
|
30
|
52
|
7
|
| - Atlantic provinces |
29
|
55
|
5
|
| - Quebec |
42
|
44
|
6
|
| - Ontario |
25
|
55
|
8
|
| - Prairies |
29
|
50
|
8
|
| - Alberta |
28
|
51
|
11
|
| - British Columbia |
21
|
56
|
6
|
Source:
Back to top
Late 2002 - Discovery
Channel International Poll
- Survey population: Eight international countries
|
Parents should have the right to screen
out embryos that are found to be carrying a hereditary
disease, so that only those free from the condition are
allowed to be born
|
Agree
|
Disagree
|
|
- Poland
|
77
|
-
|
| - Taiwan |
73
|
-
|
- Turkey
|
80
|
-
|
- UK
|
55
|
33
|
- USA
|
42
|
44
|
| Parents should be allowed to select an embryo
in order to help cure a sibling of a serious disease |
Agree
|
Disagree |
| - Brazil |
90
|
-
|
| - Denmark |
62
|
-
|
- Mexico
|
66
|
-
|
|
- Poland
|
78
|
-
|
| - Taiwan |
84
|
-
|
- UK
|
54
|
-
|
- USA
|
48
|
-
|
| Parents should be allowed to use gene technology
to 'design' a baby to satisfy their personal, cultural or
aesthetic desires |
Agree
|
Disagree |
| - Brazil |
-
|
82
|
| - Denmark |
-
|
97
|
- Mexico
|
-
|
76
|
|
- Poland
|
~18
|
~67
|
| - Taiwan |
-
|
~67
|
| - Turkey |
43
|
53
|
- UK
|
-
|
92
|
- USA
|
-
|
87
|
| If you were ill, would you be willing to receive
gene therapy; that is to have treatment that alters and
replaces your genes?
|
Agree
|
Disagree |
| - Brazil |
34
|
-
|
| - Poland (only if the disease was life threatening) |
71
|
-
|
| If you were being treated with an experimental
treatment like gene therapy and you found out that people
had died from the treatment, would you continue?
|
Agree
|
Disagree |
| - Brazil |
-
|
47
|
| - Denmark |
12
|
-
|
| - Mexico |
-
|
60
|
| -Taiwan |
39
|
-
|
| -UK |
16
|
-
|
| -USA |
16
|
-
|
| If you could clone a member of your family
when they died, would you? |
Agree
|
Disagree |
| -Denmark |
-
|
97
|
| - Turkey |
29
|
-
|
| - UK |
-
|
93
|
| - USA |
-
|
88
|
| Governments should ban cloning? |
Agree
|
Disagree |
| - Denmark |
85
|
-
|
| - Mexico |
~50
|
-
|
| - Taiwan |
79
|
-
|
| - Turkey |
~50
|
-
|
| - UK |
79
|
-
|
| - USA |
77
|
22
|
| There should be one licensed laboratory in
the world that could start human cloning trials under strict
international supervision? |
Agree
|
Disagree |
| - UK |
-
|
68
|
| - Denmark |
-
|
67
|
| - USA |
-
|
64
|
| - Mexico |
~50
|
-
|
| - Taiwan |
~50
|
-
|
| - Turkey |
~50
|
-
|
| - Brazil |
~50
|
-
|
| - Poland |
~50
|
~50
|
| Cloning another human being can give childless
couples the option of having a son or daughter even if they
are completely infertile. Would you clone yourself if the
option was available to you? |
Agree
|
Disagree |
| - Brazil |
-
|
80
|
| - Denmark |
-
|
90
|
| - Mexico |
31
|
-
|
| - Poland |
26
|
-
|
| - UK |
-
|
87
|
| - USA |
-
|
85
|
| Do you believe/think that a human will be successfully
cloned somewhere in the world?
|
it has already happened somewhere in
secret
|
it will happen in the future, the next
five years
|
it will happen within a hundred years
|
it will never happen
|
| - Brazil |
-
|
-
|
-
|
~30
|
| - Denmark |
-
|
-
|
19
|
-
|
| - Mexico |
47
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
| - Taiwan |
55
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
| - UK |
-
|
41
|
-
|
-
|
| - USA |
-
|
34
|
-
|
-
|
Source:
Back to top
October 2002 - Genetics
and Public Policy Center
- Survey population: 1211 adult Americans
- Date of survey: October 15 to 29, 2002
- Conducted by: Princeton Data Source
- Margin of error: 3%
|
How much have you heard or read about...
|
Great deal / yes
|
Something / not much
|
Nothing / no
|
| Genetic engineering |
23
|
57
|
20
|
| Cloning |
38
|
53
|
8
|
| Preimplantation genetic diagnosis
(PGD)* |
24
|
-
|
76
|
| As far as you know, is it scientifically
possible today to... |
Yes
|
No
|
Don't know
|
| use genetic testing during pregnancy
to find out whether the baby will develop a disease such
as sickle cell disease or cystic fibrosis? |
70
|
11
|
19**
|
| use genetic testing during pregnancy
to find out whether the baby will have a high IQ or intelligence? |
19
|
52
|
29
|
| use genetic engineering to change
a baby’s genetic make-up before it is born to prevent
it from having a genetic disease? |
23
|
35
|
43
|
| use genetic engineering to change
a baby’s genetic make-up before it is born so it is
smarter, stronger, or better looking? |
16
|
52
|
32
|
| create a clone, or genetic copy,
of animals like cows or sheep? |
90
|
4
|
5
|
create a clone, or genetic copy,
of a
human being? |
46
|
33
|
20
|
| Do you believe anyone has actually
cloned a human already?*** |
48
|
38
|
14
|
| Do you approve or disapprove of
... |
Approve
|
Disapprove
|
Don't know
|
| the use ofgenetic testing during
pregnancy to find out whether the baby will develop a serious
genetic disease? |
66
|
27
|
7
|
| the use of genetic testing during
pregnancy to find out whether the baby will have desirable
characteristics such as strength or high intelligence? |
20
|
74
|
5
|
| scientists working on ways to
clone animals? |
37
|
55
|
8
|
| scientists working on ways to
clone humans? |
18
|
76
|
5
|
| Would you approve or disapprove
if parents were offered a way to ... |
Approve
|
Disapprove
|
Don't know
|
| use PGD to make sure their baby
does not have a serious genetic disease |
74
|
22
|
2
|
use PGD to make sure their baby
does not have a tendency to develop a disease like
cancer when he or she is an adult |
60
|
33
|
6
|
use PGD to make sure their baby
would be a good match to donate his or her blood or
tissue to a brother or sister who is sick
and needs a transplant |
69
|
25
|
5
|
| use PGD to choose the sex of their
child |
28
|
68
|
4
|
| use PGD to make sure their baby
has desirable characteristics such as high intelligence
and strength |
22
|
72
|
5
|
| change their own genes in order
to prevent their children from having a genetic disease? |
59
|
34
|
7
|
| change their own genes in order
to have children who would be smarter, stronger, or better
looking? |
20
|
76
|
5
|
| As far as you know, does the government... |
Yes
|
No
|
Don't know
|
| regulate the quality and safety
of PGD, or not?^ |
4
|
8
|
11**
|
| regulate the quality and safety
of genetic engineering, or not? |
30
|
34
|
36
|
| have any regulations to limit
the cloning of humans, or not? |
53
|
25
|
23
|
| Do you think the government’s regulations
to limit ____ should be...^^ |
more strict
|
About right
|
less strict
|
Should not regulate at all
|
Not sure what regulations should be
|
| the cloning of humans |
1
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
| genetic engineering |
11
|
10
|
1
|
3
|
5
|
| the cloning of humans |
28
|
14
|
1
|
3
|
7
|
| Do you think the government should... |
Yes
|
No
|
Don't know
|
| regulate the quality and safety
of PGD, or not? |
62
|
25
|
12
|
| regulate the quality and safety
of genetic engineering, or not? |
71
|
22
|
6
|
| have regulations to limit the
cloning of humans, or not? |
84
|
11
|
5
|
* presented as yes/no question
** includes refusals
*** Based on those who say human cloning is possible; n=570
^ applies only to the 24% who had heard of PGD
^^ applies only to those who believe the government already
regulates
For extensive tabulation by gender, age, education, race/ethnicity,
parental status, 'basic orientation,' religion, political affiliation,
and experience with IVF, prenatal tests, genetic tests, and
genetic disease, see
http://dnapolicy-content.labvelocity.com/pdfs/7/27377.pdf
Source:
Back to top
May 2002 - CBS News
- Survey population: 647 adult Americans
- Date of survey: May 13 to May 14, 2002
- Margin of error: 4%
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Is it possible to clone human beings?
|
76
|
18
|
Should scientists be allowed to clone humans?
|
11
|
85
|
Source:
Back to top
May 2002 - Gallup
- Survey population: 1012 adult Americans
- Date of survey: May 6 to May 9, 2002
- Margin of error: 3%
| Do you favor or oppose each of the following? How about... |
Approve
|
Disapprove
|
No opinion
|
| cloning of endangered species to keep them from becoming
extinct |
38
|
58
|
4
|
| cloning of dogs, cats, or other animals that people keep
as pets |
15
|
82
|
3
|
| cloning of human organs or body parts that can then be
used in medical transplants |
59
|
37
|
4
|
| cloning of human embryos for use in medical research* |
34
|
61
|
5
|
| - men |
40
|
-
|
-
|
| - women |
29
|
-
|
-
|
| - attend church weekly |
21
|
72
|
-
|
| - attend church nearly weekly |
30
|
66
|
-
|
| - attend church less often |
45
|
50
|
-
|
| - east US |
37
|
58
|
-
|
| - midwest |
32
|
61
|
-
|
| - south |
27
|
68
|
-
|
| - west |
42
|
54
|
-
|
| - "pro-choice" |
50
|
45
|
-
|
| - "pro-life" |
20
|
77
|
-
|
| cloning of human cells from adults for use in medical
research |
51
|
44
|
5
|
| cloning that is designed specifically to result in the
birth of a human being |
8
|
90
|
2
|
|
| Regardless of whether or not you think it should be legal,
for each one, please tell me whether you personally believe
that in general it is morally acceptable or morally wrong.
How about … |
Morally acceptable
|
Morally wrong
|
Depends / not a moral issue / no opinion
|
| cloning animals
|
29
|
66
|
5
|
| cloning humans |
7
|
90
|
3
|
| medical research using stem cells obtained from human
embryos |
52
|
39
|
9
|
* The poll shows no partisan differences within the public
in its reaction to cloning human embryos for research.
Source:
Back to top
April 2002 - Stop Human
Cloning
- Survey population: Americans
|
think it is wrong to create human embryos
for medical research
|
59
|
Source:
Back to top
April 2002 - Coalition
for the Advancement of Medical Research (advocates research
cloning)
- Survey population: 1,022 adult Americans
- Date of survey: April 18 to April 21, 2002
- Conducted by: Opinion Research Corporation International
- Margin of error: 3%
|
Support
|
Oppose
|
Don't know
|
| favor the government allowing scientists to do therapeutic
cloning research to produce stem cells for treating life-threatening
diseases* |
68
|
26
|
6
|
| - men |
71
|
-
|
-
|
| - women |
65
|
-
|
-
|
| - had at least a college degree |
73
|
-
|
-
|
| - had only a high school degree |
64
|
-
|
-
|
| want to outlaw the research |
< 30
|
52
|
-
|
* This level of support was reached when questioners were given
a list of diseases—diabetes, Parkinson's disease and spinal
cord injury—that could be treated with stem cells produced
by the research.
Mary Cannon of Stop Cloning Now argued that this poll is flawed
because 53% of respondents said they were not opposed to reproductive
cloning. Other polls suggest 85%-90% of Americans oppose reproductive
cloning.
Sources:
Back to top
April 2002 - Americans to
Ban Cloning
- Survey population: 807 adult Americans
- Date of survey: April 13 to April 15, 2002
- Conducted by: The Polling Company
- Margin of error: 3.5%
| Just last week, President Bush stated that
he is opposed to both reproductive cloning, that is cloning
with the goal of creating a child, and research cloning,
which involves the creation of cloned human embryos for
the purpose of destroying them to retrieve stem cells from
the embryos for medical experiments.* |
|
Strongly agree
|
Somewhat agree
|
Don't know / unsure / depends
|
Somewhat disagree
|
Strongly disagree
|
|
48
|
15
|
8
|
13
|
16
|
| Person 1 supports human cloning to allow science
and research to pursue cures to diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's,
diabetes and Parkinson's. Person 1 is opposed to cloning
for creation of human beings, but supports cloning for creation
of human embryos, which would be destroyed when used for
medical research.
Person 2 agrees that it is important to use science and
research to cure diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes
and Parkinson's, but says that there are more ethical
ways, like through the use of adult stem cells. Person
2 says it is wrong to create human embryos for the specific
purpose of destroying them, even in medical research.**
|
|
Strongly agree person 1
|
Somewhat agree person 1
|
Don't know / both / neither
|
Somewhat agree person 2
|
Strongly agree person 2
|
|
14
|
12
|
15
|
21
|
38
|
| Would you be more or less likely to vote for
a candidate for office if you knew he or she supported making
legal the cloning of human embryos for medical experimentation?*** |
|
Much more likely
|
Somewhat more likely
|
No difference / do not know
|
Somewhat less likely
|
Much less likely
|
|
10
|
11
|
19
|
16
|
44
|
* With the exception of singles with household earnings over
$50K, all demographic groups are more likely to agree than disagree.
Women are ten points more likely than men to support the President’s
position (68%, compared to 58%). Those most likely to support
the President’s statement include middle-income households
(between $30K and $49K; 71%), those in the South Central region
of the country (71%), 25-34 year olds (69%), and Americans with
children under age 18 (66%). Marriage intensifies support as
well. Over two-thirds (67%) married Americans agree with the
President, as do 70% of married women. Even those groups least
likely to agree with the President, single men, and singles
making over $50K, show approximately half in agreement (51%,
and 46%, respectively).
** Women are more likely than men to support the conservative
position on cloning (62%, compared to 55%). African Americans
(65%), those with children (65%), married individuals (64%),
and New Englanders (63%) are the most likely to agree with "person
2." Over half of young Americans age 18-24 (56%) also support
"person 2." Married women are the most likely to show
their support for the conservative position (69%; 51% "strongly
agree"), and differentiate themselves from single women,
of which a smaller majority, 53%, agree. Four-in-ten (40%) of
those who oppose the President’s statement in the earlier
question also indicated they agree with "person 2,"
the conservative position on human cloning for medical research
*** African-Americans seem willing to register their opposition
to human cloning at the ballot box (72%), and are less likely
to vote for a candidate that supports cloning human embryos
for medical experimentation, by a far higher margin than Whites
(59%). Over two-thirds (68%) of women said they would be less
likely to vote for a candidate that supported legal cloning
of human embryos for medical experimentation, compared to 52%
of men. An additional 39% of those who actually oppose the President’s
statement in the earlier question, and 22% of those who side
with legalizing human cloning for medical experimentation (person
1), are still less likely to vote for a candidate that supports
human cloning for medical experiments. Fifteen percent of those
that disagree with the President, and 20% of those who side
with "person 1," said the issue makes "no difference"
in their vote. Men were statistically more likely than women
to say the issue makes "no difference" in how they
would vote (15%, compared to 10%). Married women (70%), and
those over 55 (65%) are also among the most likely to oppose
candidates that support cloning human embryos for medical experimentation.
Those most likely to vote for a candidate that supports legalized
cloning of human embryos include 18-24 year olds (35%), singles
with income over $50K (29%), and married men (28%).
Source:
Back to top
February / March 2002 -
The Pew Research Center for the People and the Press
- Survey population: 2002 adult Americans
- Date of survey: February 25 to March 10, 2002
- Conducted in association with the Pew Forum on Religion
& Public Life
- Margin of error: 3.5%
|
Favor
|
Oppose
|
Don't know / Refused
|
| Do you favor or oppose scientific experimentation on the
cloning of human beings? |
17
|
77
|
6
|
| - White evangelical Protestant |
8
|
88
|
4
|
| - White mainline Protestant |
15
|
79
|
6
|
| - White Catholic |
18
|
75
|
7
|
| - Black Protestant |
13
|
81
|
6
|
| - Secular |
33
|
56
|
11
|
|
|
the belief that the science is not yet safe
enough but could be in the future |
the belief that it is morally wrong |
Both / other / don't know / refused |
| (If opposed) Is your objection to research on human cloning
based more on ... |
19
|
72
|
9
|
| - White evangelical Protestant |
10
|
81
|
9
|
| - White mainline Protestant |
23
|
67
|
10
|
| - White Catholic |
19
|
72
|
9
|
| - Black Protestant |
17
|
78
|
5
|
| - Secular |
32
|
57
|
11
|
Source:
Back to top
February 2002 - Fox News
- Survey population: 900 registered American voters
- Date of survey: February 12 to February 13, 2002
- Margin of error: 3%
As you may know, scientists have made advances
in cloning, where they can reproduce a whole animal from
a single cell. Do you think it is acceptable to use cloning
to ...
|
Acceptable |
Not acceptable |
Don't know |
| reintroduce extinct species? |
20
|
72
|
8
|
| reproduce endangered species? |
29
|
64
|
7
|
| reproduce livestock? |
23
|
71
|
6
|
| reproduce a beloved pet such as a dog or cat? |
12
|
84
|
4
|
| reproduce humans? |
7
|
89
|
4
|
|
Yes
|
No
|
Not sure
|
|
(Asked of pet owners) If a company announced
that a perfect copy of your pet could be made when the
pet got old or died, would you order a copy or not?
|
6
|
92
|
2
|
| How likely do you think it is that somewhere
in the world a human has already been secretly cloned? |
|
Very likely
|
Somewhat likely
|
Not very likely
|
Not at all likely
|
Not sure
|
|
30
|
26
|
20
|
18
|
6
|
This poll has the greatest number of repeated surveys: four
since 1997. Follow the link below for older data.
Source:
Back to top
2002 - Biotechnology
Australia
- Survey population: 1000 adult Australians
- Conducted by Market Attitude Research Services
|
Morally acceptable?
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Human cloning
|
-
|
82
|
Genetic testing of embryos
|
54
|
-
|
Correction of genetic disorders for embryos
|
74
|
-
|
Gene therapy to cure genetic diseases
|
77
|
-
|
Source:
Back to top
November / December 2001
- Ipsos-Reid
- Survey population: 1000 adult Americans
- Date of survey: November 30 to December 2, 2001
- Margin of error: 3.1%
| If you had to choose, which comes closest to your preference: |
A complete ban on all research into
human cloning
without exception
|
A ban on human cloning of full-grown
humans,
while still allowing research on cloned embryos, to learn
more about certain diseases
|
Oppose any law that restricts research
into human cloning
|
Not sure
|
| All |
33
|
39
|
21
|
6
|
| Gender |
| - male |
30
|
40
|
25
|
4
|
| - female |
36
|
39
|
18
|
7
|
| Age |
| - 18-34 |
33
|
41
|
22
|
3
|
| - 35-54 |
32
|
41
|
22
|
5
|
| - 55+ |
36
|
35
|
20
|
9
|
| Income |
| - < $25,000 |
41
|
31
|
20
|
9
|
| - $25-$50,000 |
30
|
42
|
24
|
4
|
| - > $50,000 |
30
|
46
|
21
|
3
|
| Region |
| - Northeast |
32
|
39
|
26
|
3
|
| - Midwest |
34
|
38
|
21
|
8
|
| - South |
35
|
37
|
20
|
8
|
| - West |
31
|
45
|
21
|
3
|
| Children |
| - have children |
35
|
40
|
19
|
6
|
| - no children |
32
|
39
|
23
|
6
|
| Education |
| - high school or less |
39
|
31
|
23
|
8
|
| - some college |
34
|
39
|
21
|
6
|
| - college degree |
27
|
50
|
20
|
3
|
| Employment |
| - full time |
29
|
44
|
22
|
5
|
| - part time |
38
|
39
|
17
|
6
|
| - not employed |
40
|
35
|
19
|
6
|
| - retired |
38
|
30
|
24
|
8
|
| Marital status |
| - married |
36
|
39
|
19
|
5
|
| - other |
30
|
39
|
24
|
6
|
| Race |
| - white |
33
|
40
|
21
|
6
|
| - other |
33
|
37
|
25
|
4
|
| Party affiliation |
| - Republican |
38
|
41
|
17
|
4
|
| - Democrat |
25
|
41
|
27
|
6
|
| - Independent |
46
|
29
|
15
|
10
|
Source:
Back to top
November 2001 - CNN / USA
Today / Gallup
- Survey population: 507 to 518 adult Americans
- Date of survey: November 26 to November 27, 2001
- Margin of error: 3% to 5%
|
Approve
|
Disapprove
|
No opinion
|
| Do you approve or disapprove of cloning that is designed
specifically to result in the birth of a human being? |
9
|
88
|
3
|
Do you approve or disapprove of cloning that is not designed
specifically to result in the birth of a human being, but
is designed to aid medical research that might find treatments
for certain diseases?
|
54
|
41
|
5
|
Source:
Back to top
August 2001 - ABCNEWS/Beliefnet
- Survey population: 1024 adult Americans
- Date of survey: August 8 to August 12, 2001
- Conducted by: TNS Intersearch
- Margin of error: 3%
|
Legal
|
Illegal
|
| Do you think it should be legal or illegal
to clone humans in the United States?* |
11
|
87
|
| - men |
16
|
82
|
| - women |
6
|
93
|
| - < $25,000/year |
8
|
92
|
| - > $100,000/year |
20
|
80
|
| - evangelical Protestant |
3
|
95
|
| - Catholic |
8
|
91
|
| - non-evangelical Protestant |
15
|
83
|
| - no religion |
22
|
77
|
|
Legal
|
Illegal
|
| Do you think human cloning for medical treatments
should be legal or illegal in the United States?** |
33
|
63
|
| - men |
41
|
56
|
| - women |
27
|
70
|
| - < $25,000/year |
23
|
75
|
| - > $100,000/year |
55
|
44
|
| - evangelical Protestant |
18
|
79
|
| - Catholic |
32
|
65
|
| - non-evangelical Protestant |
39
|
53
|
| - no religion |
53
|
46
|
|
Legal
|
Illegal
|
| Do you think it should be legal or illegal
to clone animals in the United States*** |
37
|
59
|
| - men |
49
|
47
|
| - women |
25
|
71
|
| - < $25,000/year |
17
|
81
|
| - > $100,000/year |
64
|
34
|
| - evangelical Protestant |
19
|
79
|
| - Catholic |
36
|
61
|
| - non-evangelical Protestant |
43
|
54
|
| - no religion |
55
|
40
|
|
More likely
|
Less likely
|
Does not affect opinion
|
| Human cloning for medical treatments is legal
in some other countries, such as England. Does this make
you more likely or less likely to think it should be legal
in the United States, or doesn't it affect your opinion
on the issue one way or the other? |
7
|
10
|
82
|
|
| What's had the most influence on your opinion
on the issue of cloning? |
|
Religious beliefs
|
Non-religious beliefs
|
Education
|
The news
|
Personal experience
|
Family and friends
|
Something else
|
|
36
|
17
|
16
|
15
|
4
|
3
|
9
|
* Prefaced by "Scientists say it's also possible to clone
humans, using basic genetic material from one person to produce
a child with the exact same genetic makeup."
** Prefaced by "Some scientists want to use human cloning
for medical treatments only. They would produce a fertilized
egg, or human embryo, that's an exact genetic copy of a person,
and then take cells from this embryo to provide medical treatments
for that person. Supporters say this could lead to medical breakthroughs.
Opponents say it could lead to the creation of a cloned person,
because someone could take an embryo that was cloned for medical
treatments and use it to produce a child."
*** Prefaced by "Scientists have cloned animals, using
basic genetic material from one animal to produce an offspring
with the exact same genetic makeup. Supporters say cloning animals
can lead to advances in medicine and agriculture. Opponents
say cloning animals is morally wrong and may produce offspring
with genetic abnormalities."
For both animal and therapeutic cloning, supporters say medical
breakthroughs could result. Opponents of animal cloning say
it's morally wrong and may produce offspring with genetic abnormalities;
opponents of therapeutic cloning say it could lead to the creation
of a cloned human.
Source:
Back to top
August 2001 - Leger Marketing
Canadian poll
- Survey population: 1508 Canadian adults
- Date of survey: August 2 to 13, 2001
- Margin of error: 2.5%
|
Support / Favor / Yes
|
Against / No
|
|
Are you for or against the cloning of
human beings?
|
8
|
89
|
| - Women |
-
|
92
|
| - Age 55 - 64 |
-
|
95
|
| - Maritimes |
8
|
89
|
| - Quebec |
8
|
91
|
| - Ontario |
10
|
87
|
| - Prairies |
6
|
90
|
| - Alberta |
4
|
94
|
| - British Columbia |
8
|
86
|
| Are you for or against the cloning of human
embryos that would allow for the creation of stem cells
that could be used in transplants, organ replacements, and
for treatment of diseases that are currently incurable? |
55
|
41
|
| - Men |
62
|
-
|
| - Women |
-
|
50
|
| - Age 18 to 24 |
66
|
-
|
| - Age 55 to 64 |
-
|
48
|
| - Income $20,000 to $40,000 / year |
-
|
45
|
| - Income $40,000 to $60,000 / year |
63
|
-
|
| - Students |
65
|
-
|
| - Maritimes |
46
|
48
|
| - Quebec |
54
|
44
|
| - Ontario |
56
|
40
|
| - Prairies |
57
|
38
|
| - Alberta |
54
|
43
|
| - British Columbia |
63
|
33
|
| Would you personally like to be cloned? |
4
|
94
|
| - Men |
7
|
-
|
| - Women |
2
|
-
|
| - Age 35 or less |
8
|
-
|
| - Age 55 or more |
0.3
|
-
|
| - Maritimes |
4
|
95
|
| - Quebec |
4
|
95
|
| - Ontario |
6
|
93
|
| - Prairies |
4
|
96
|
| - Alberta |
1
|
98
|
| - British Columbia |
3
|
95
|
| Do you believe that human cloning will take
place in the next 20 years? |
77
|
18
|
| - Men |
80
|
-
|
| - Professionals |
83
|
-
|
| - Maritimes |
71
|
22
|
| - Quebec |
77
|
18
|
| - Ontario |
78
|
19
|
| - Prairies |
80
|
17
|
| - Alberta |
76
|
18
|
| - British Columbia |
80
|
16
|
Source:
Back to top
July 2001 - Zogby
- Survey population: 1,209 adult Americans
- Date of survey: July 2 to July 15, 2001
- Conducted by: Zogby International
- Margin of error: 3%
|
opposed
|
supportive
|
| Regarding cloning human beings, are you* |
90**
|
8
|
| - Democrats |
87
|
-
|
| - Republicans |
94
|
-
|
|
yes
|
no
|
| Should the government closely regulate all cloning research
in the US? |
52
|
-
|
| Should all cloning research be banned? |
40
|
-
|
* Also overwhelmingly opposed are 18-29 year-olds (82% opposed),
50-64 year-olds (89% opposed), high school graduates (92% opposed)
and college graduates (89% opposed).
** 82% are strongly opposed
Source:
Back to top
April / May 2001
- Biotechnology Australia
- Survey population: 1001 adult Australians
- Date of survey: April 23 to May 6, 2001
- Conducted by Millward Brown
| Genetic modification of human cells is... |
Yes
|
No
|
| acceptable |
44
|
42
|
| beneficial |
55
|
25
|
| Testing embryos for pre-disposition to disease
is... |
Definitely agree
|
Tend to agree
|
Tend to disagree
|
Definitely disagree
|
Useful to society?
|
40
|
42
|
7
|
8
|
| A risky application for society? |
23
|
37
|
21
|
12
|
| Morally acceptable? |
25
|
40
|
15
|
13
|
|
Strongly agree
|
Agree
|
Niether
|
Disagree
|
Strongly disagree
|
| The cloning of humans cannot be stopped |
29
|
7
|
3
|
34
|
24
|
Source:
Back to top
February 2001 - Time/CNN
- Survey population: 1016 Americans
- Date of survey: February 7 to February 8, 2001
|
good idea / yes
|
bad idea / no
|
| Do you think it is a good idea or a bad idea
to clone animals such as sheep? |
29
|
67
|
| In general, do you think it is a good idea
or a bad idea to clone human beings? |
7
|
90
|
| Do you think it is against God's will to clone
human beings, or don't you feel this way? |
69
|
23
|
| Do you think scientists should be allowed
to clone human beings or don't you think so? |
10
|
88
|
| Do you think the clone of a deceased person
would have the same personality as that person? |
10
|
74
|
| If you had a chance, would you clone yourself
or wouldn't you do that? |
5
|
93
|
| Do you think each of the following justifies
creating a human clone or don't you think so? |
good idea / yes
|
bad idea / no
|
| - To produce copies of humans whose vital
organs can be used to save the lives of others |
28
|
68
|
| - To save the life of the person who is being
cloned |
21
|
74
|
| - To help infertile couples to have children
without having to adopt |
20
|
76
|
| - To allow parents to have a twin child at
a later date if they wanted to |
10
|
88
|
| - To allow parents who have lost a child to
create a clone of the child they lost |
10
|
88
|
| - To allow gay couples to have children using
only their own genes |
10
|
86
|
| - To create genetically superior human beings |
6
|
92
|
| If scientists could clone the following people,
do you think they should do so? |
good idea / yes
|
bad idea / no
|
| Albert Einstein |
18
|
81
|
| Abraham Lincoln |
14
|
85
|
| Isaac Newton |
14
|
84
|
| Beethoven |
12
|
87
|
| Michael Jordan |
10
|
89
|
| Humphrey Bogart |
6
|
92
|
| (Asked of those who think cloning human beings
is a bad idea) What is the main reason you are against the
cloning of human beings? |
|
Because of your religious beliefs
|
Because cloning interferes with human
distinctiveness and individuality
|
Because cloning could be used for questionable
purposes like breeding a superior race or clone armies
|
Because the technology involved is dangerous
|
|
34
|
22
|
22
|
14
|
| Do you think it will be possible to create
a human clone in the next 10 years, 20 years, 50 years or
more, or don't you think it will ever be possible to create
a human clone? |
|
10 years
|
20 years
|
50 years or more
|
Never be possible
|
|
45
|
23
|
10
|
15
|
Source:
Back to top
Fall 2000 - System Three
Scottish poll
- Survey population: 1001 Scots
- Date of survey: Fall 2000
|
agree
|
disagree
|
| Are opposed to the creation of "designer
babies" for any reason other than to stop hereditary
illnesses.* |
~ 90
|
-
|
| - males |
-
|
10
|
| - females |
-
|
6
|
| - age 18-24 |
-
|
16
|
| Feel genetic modification of embryos to achieve
either a male or female child was wrong in all circumstances. |
48
|
8
|
| - age 18-24 |
38
|
-
|
| - age 35-44 |
40
|
-
|
| - age 55-64 |
57
|
-
|
| - age 65+ |
67
|
-
|
| Prepared to accept "born-to-order"
babies for medical reasons. |
42
|
-
|
* Males were slightly more in favour of the creation of "designer
babies" than females, as were those in the lower age brackets.
Sources:
- Valerie Hannah, "Scots reject creation of designer
babies," The Herald (UK) (November 6, 2000)
Back to top
March 2000 - PricewaterhouseCoopers
Canadian poll
- Survey population: 2,580 Canadians aged 15 and older
- Date of survey: March 2000
- Margin of error: 1.9%
| Are opposed to scientists making a genetically
identical copy of a human being.* |
~ 90
|
| Find it very or somewhat acceptable to clone
human organs for transplants or tissue required to treat
medical conditions. |
75
|
| Find cloning of human skin or other organs
such as hearts and livers acceptable. |
> 80
|
| Find genetic engineering to preselect the
sex of an unborn child unacceptable. |
< 80
|
| Find genetic engineering to change the eye
colour or other physical features of an unborn child unacceptable. |
74
|
| Find it acceptable for scientists to use biotechnology
to cure an inherited medical condition or to decrease the
risk of illness. |
> 50
|
* When they explained why they opposed the cloning of whole
human beings, about 42 percent said it was "simply unacceptable,"
and just less than 22 percent said cloning was unacceptable
because it is too dangerous and has unknown consequences for
humans. Of the 10 percent of Canadians who did not oppose cloning
of entire human beings, most were men.
Source:
Back to top
August 1999 - Novartis UK poll
- Survey population: 991 UK adults aged 15+
- Date of survey: August 19 to August 24, 1999
- Conducted by: MORI
|
Which, if any, of the following do you
support and which do you oppose?
|
Support
|
Oppose
|
Don't know
|
| Cloning and growing human cells |
28
|
60
|
11
|
Source:
Back to top
July 1999 - Biotechnology Australia
- Survey population: 1001 Australian adults
- Date of survey: July 1999
- Conducted by: Yann Campbell Hoare Wheeler
| Genetic modification of human cells is... |
Yes
|
No
|
| acceptable |
51
|
41
|
| beneficial |
65
|
27
|
| Testing embryos for pre-disposition to disease is... |
Definitely agree
|
Tend to agree
|
Tend to disagree
|
Definitely disagree
|
useful to society
|
44
|
43
|
5
|
6
|
| a risky application for society |
28
|
29
|
24
|
13
|
| morally acceptable |
20
|
49
|
15
|
12
|
Source:
Back to top
February 1998 - CTV / Angus Reid
- Survey population: 1000 Canadian adults
- Date of survey: February 9 to February 12, 2001
- Margin of error: 3.2%
|
Agree
|
Disagree
|
Don't Know
|
| I fear that cloning human beings will be used wrongly
by people who only want to create a master race. |
73
|
25
|
2
|
| - age 18-34 |
69
|
29
|
2
|
| - age 35-54 |
75
|
23
|
2
|
| - age 55+ |
75
|
23
|
2
|
| - male |
64
|
33
|
2
|
| - female |
81
|
16
|
2
|
| - less than high school education |
73
|
23
|
3
|
| - high school degree |
72
|
25
|
2
|
| - post secondary education |
73
|
25
|
2
|
| - university degree |
73
|
25
|
2
|
| - < $25,000 income |
77
|
21
|
2
|
| - $25,000-$55,000 income |
71
|
27
|
1
|
| - > $55,000 income |
73
|
25
|
2
|
|
Agree
|
Disagree
|
Don't Know
|
| I think that cloning human beings for such things as replacement
body parts, transplants and experimenting with new drugs,
if carefully regulated, is not a bad thing. |
46
|
53
|
2
|
| - age 18-34 |
57
|
42
|
2
|
| - age 35-54 |
40
|
58
|
2
|
| - age 55+ |
40
|
59
|
1
|
| - male |
51
|
47
|
2
|
| - female |
40
|
58
|
1
|
| - less than high school education |
46
|
54
|
-
|
| - high school degree |
48
|
49
|
3
|
| - post secondary education |
44
|
54
|
1
|
| - university degree |
45
|
54
|
2
|
| - < $25,000 income |
46
|
52
|
2
|
| - $25,000-$55,000 income |
46
|
53
|
1
|
| - > $55,000 income |
43
|
55
|
2
|
|
Agree
|
Disagree
|
Don't Know
|
| I agree with people who say that cloning should never
be allowed to happen because it means that we are playing
God. |
65
|
33
|
2
|
| - age 18 - 34 |
60
|
38
|
2
|
| - age 35 - 54 |
66
|
32
|
2
|
| - age 55+ |
67
|
30
|
3
|
| - male |
55
|
43
|
2
|
| - female |
74
|
24
|
2
|
| - less than high school education |
66
|
31
|
3
|
| - high school degree |
70
|
28
|
2
|
| - post secondary education |
69
|
29
|
2
|
| - university degree |
56
|
42
|
2
|
| - <$25,000 income |
65
|
31
|
4
|
| - $25,000 - $55,000 income |
68
|
30
|
2
|
| - > $55,000 income |
59
|
39
|
1
|
|
Agree
|
Disagree
|
Don't Know
|
| I think people should have the freedom, in the future,
to clone themselves and have a baby exactly like themselves
to raise as their own child. |
12
|
87
|
1
|
| - age 18-34 |
14
|
86
|
-
|
| - age 35-54 |
11
|
87
|
1
|
| - age 55+ |
12
|
86
|
2
|
| - male |
17
|
82
|
1
|
| - female |
8
|
91
|
1
|
| - less than high school education |
17
|
80
|
3
|
| - high school degree |
13
|
86
|
1
|
| - post secondary education |
11
|
89
|
1
|
| - university degree |
12
|
88
|
-
|
| - <$25,000 income |
14
|
84
|
2
|
| - $25,000-$55,000 income |
13
|
86
|
1
|
| - >$55,000 income |
12
|
88
|
-
|
Source:
Back to top
1997 - Harris Research
UK poll
|
Human cloning should never be allowed
and all research should be stopped.
|
72
|
| Cloning research should continue under strict controls
and a decision taken later. |
19
|
| Cloning should be allowed when it becomes possible. |
4
|
Source:
- Wellcome Trust, Public Perspectives on Human Cloning
(London: Wellcome Trust, 1998)
- The Independent (UK) (March 7, 1997)
Back to top
1996 - National Center
for Genome Resources
- Survey population: 1039 Americans
| How do you feel about scientists changing
the makeup of human cells to... |
Approve
|
| cure a usually fatal disease (B) |
85
|
| reduce the risk of a usually fatal disease
(C) |
84
|
| prevent/stop children from inheriting a usually
fatal disease (D) |
86
|
|
prevent/stop children from inheriting
a usually nonfatal disease (E)
|
72
|
| improve the physical characteristics children
would inherit (F) |
35
|
|
Yes, it is wrong
|
| On balance, do you feel that changing the
genetic makeup of human cells is morally wrong, or not?
(A) |
22
|
| - less than high school education |
38
|
| - college graduates |
16
|
|
Approve
|
| How do you feel about scientists changing
the makeup of human cells to improve the physical characteristics
children would inherit? |
35
|
| - less than high school education |
61
|
| - high school graduates |
40
|
| - some college education |
27
|
| - college graduates |
28
|
Survey of leadership opinions*
|
A
is wrong
|
B
approve
|
C
approve
|
D
approve
|
E
approve
|
F
approve
|
| Doctors |
8
|
90
|
89
|
90
|
79
|
28
|
| Patient representatives |
8
|
97
|
96
|
94
|
84
|
25
|
| Religious leaders |
10
|
92
|
88
|
88
|
76
|
20
|
| Biotech industry leaders |
10
|
91
|
86
|
86
|
79
|
18
|
| Media leaders |
4
|
94
|
88
|
86
|
82
|
16
|
| Policy makers |
9
|
87
|
86
|
89
|
71
|
16
|
| Insurers |
6
|
93
|
87
|
88
|
80
|
14
|
| Genetics scientists |
0
|
96
|
96
|
82
|
63
|
12
|
| General public |
22
|
85
|
85
|
88
|
71
|
35
|
* These groups were chosen and surveyed by a variety of methods.
See source for details.
Source:
- National Center for Genome Resources, National Survey
of Public and Stakeholders Attitudes and Awareness of Genetic
Issues (Washington: NCGR, 1996)
Back to top
1994 - Macer Japan and
Australia poll
- Survey population: 352 Japanese and 201 Australians
| How do you feel about scientists changing
the genetic makeup of human cells to... |
Approve
|
Don't approve
|
Don't know
|
| cure a usually fatal disease, such as cancer |
-
|
-
|
-
|
| - Australia |
89
|
8
|
3
|
| - Japan |
83
|
5
|
12
|
| reduce the risk of a usually fatal disease
later in life |
-
|
-
|
-
|
| - Australia |
81
|
11
|
8
|
| - Japan |
75
|
6
|
19
|
| prevent/stop children from inheriting a usually
fatal disease |
-
|
-
|
-
|
| - Australia |
87
|
7
|
6
|
| - Japan |
80
|
4
|
16
|
|
prevent/stop children from inheriting
a usually nonfatal disease, such as diabetes
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
| - Australia |
79
|
13
|
8
|
| - Japan |
62
|
17
|
21
|
| improve the physical characteristics children
would inherit |
-
|
-
|
-
|
| - Australia |
28
|
63
|
9
|
| - Japan |
28
|
51
|
21
|
| improve the intelligence level children would
inherit |
-
|
-
|
-
|
| - Australia |
27
|
62
|
11
|
| - Japan |
26
|
54
|
20
|
| make people more ethical |
-
|
-
|
-
|
| - Australia |
34
|
44
|
22
|
| - Japan |
24
|
53
|
23
|
Source:
- Darryl Macer, Bioethics for the People (Christchurch,
NZ: Eubios Ethics Institute, 1994)
Back to top
December 1993 - Time/CNN
- Survey population: 500 Americans
- Date of survey: December 2, 1993
- Conducted by: Yankelovich Partners
- Margin of error: 4.5%
| Do you approve or disapprove of the use of genetic engineering
to... |
Approve
|
Disapprove
|
Not sure
|
| cure a disease |
79
|
16
|
5
|
| improve a person's physical appearance |
25
|
71
|
4
|
| improve a person's intelligence |
34
|
62
|
4
|
| establish embryo banks from which prospective parents
could select a child with genetic characteristics they desire |
18
|
78
|
4
|
| make it possible for nations to produce large numbers
of individuals with genetically desirable traits |
8
|
88
|
4
|
|
Good thing
|
Bad thing
|
Not sure
|
| In general, do you think cloning is a good think or a
bad thing to do? |
14
|
75
|
11
|
|
Yes, it is wrong
|
Do not feel this way
|
Not sure
|
| Do you think cloning is morally wrong, or don't you think
this way? |
58
|
31
|
11
|
|
Yes, against God's will
|
Do not feel this way
|
Not sure
|
| Do you think cloning is against God's will, or don't you
think this way? |
63
|
26
|
11
|
Source:
- Philip Elmer-Dewitt, "The Genetic Revolution: New technology
enables us to improve on nature. How far should we go?"
Time (Vol. 143, No. 2, January 17, 1994)
Back to top
1992 - March of Dimes
- Survey population: ~1000 Americans
- Conducted by: Harris Research
| How do you feel about scientists changing
the makeup of human cells to... |
Approve
|
Disapprove
|
Don't Know
|
| cure a usually fatal disease |
87
|
12
|
1
|
| reduce the risk of a usually fatal disease |
78
|
19
|
3
|
| prevent/stop children from inheriting a usually
fatal disease |
84
|
13
|
3
|
|
prevent/stop children from inheriting
a usually nonfatal disease
|
66
|
32
|
3
|
| improve the physical characteristics children
would inherit |
43
|
54
|
3
|
| improve the intelligence level children would
inherit |
42
|
55
|
3
|
Source:
- March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, Genetic Testing
and Gene Therapy: National Survey Findings (White Plains,
NY: March of Dimes, September 1992)
Back to top
1992 - Macer Japan and
New Zealand poll
- Survey population: 533 Japanese and 2034 New Zealanders
| Is genetic manipulation of human cells acceptable to you
for any reason? |
Acceptable
|
Unacceptable
|
| - Japan |
26
|
74
|
| - New Zealand |
43
|
58
|
| Could genetic manipulation of human cells provide benefits
for your country? |
No benefit
|
Benefit
|
| - Japan |
62
|
38
|
| - New Zealand |
52
|
48
|
| Could genetic manipulation of human cells present serious
risks or hazards in your country? |
No risk
|
Risk
|
| - Japan |
17
|
83
|
| - New Zealand |
26
|
74
|
The Japanese were queried by a mailed questionnaire, which
elicited a 26% response rate. Face-to-face interviews were used
in New Zealand.
Source:
Back to top
1987 - Office of Technology
Assessment
|
Yes, it is wrong
|
| On balance, do you feel that changing the genetic makeup
of human cells is morally wrong, or not? |
42
|
|
Approve
|
| How do you feel about scientists changing the makeup of
human cells to improve the physical characteristics children
would inherit? |
44
|
| How do you feel about scientists changing the makeup of
human cells to cure a usually fatal disease |
84
|
Source:
- US Congress, Office of Technology Assessment. New Developments
in Biotechnology—Background Paper: Public Perceptions
of Biotechnology, OTA-BP-BA-45 (Washington: US Government
Printing Office, 1987), as cited in National Center for Genome
Resources, National Survey of Public and Stakeholders Attitudes
and Awareness of Genetic Issues (Washington: NCGR, 1996)
Back to top
|
Highlighted Topics
