Majority back Obama decision on stem cells

A majority of Americans support President Obama’s decision to ease restrictions on embryonic stem cell research, according to a new independent poll released Tuesday.

52 percent of Americans said they agree with the president’s decision to lift a ban on federal funding for new lines of embryonic stem cell research, according to a Rasmussen poll conducted Sunday and Monday. 38 percent said they disagreed with the decision, while 10 percent were unsure.

President Obama announced Monday he was reversing a ban on federal funding for new lines of embryos put in place by then-President Bush in August of 2001.

A similar number — 53 percent — said they believed the research was not “morally wrong,” while 70 percent of those surveyed said they believed it was either somewhat or very likely that the research has the potential to help discover cures for previously incurable diseases.

45 percent of those surveyed described themselves as “pro-life,” and 46 percent called their beliefs “pro-choice.”

The survey, conducted March 8-9, has a three percent margin of error.