Boston Globe Cites Flawed Poll in Support of Embryonic Stem Cell Research
By MassNews Staff
       The Boston Globe is touting the results of a poll regarding embryonic stem cell research as fact that is clearly nothing more than a marketing campaign for biotech companies that are heavily vested in the issue.
       In an article by Janette Neuwahl today, the Globe cites the statistics from a poll commissioned by “a nonprofit think tank” that “indicates broad support for stem cell research in Massachusetts. The telephone poll” the article continues “by Peter D. Hart Research Associates found that 70 percent of 606 voters surveyed support embryonic stem cell research, with 81 percent supporting the bill (for embryonic stem cell research) specifically.”
       What is not mentioned is that the “non-profit think tank” (The Newton-based Civil Society Institute) is a partisan group that exists to promote embryonic stem-cell research. Moreover, the pollster who was used makes bold statements on his website that his research work is specifically geared to help Democrat candidates in their political races, as well as other liberal causes, and can hardly be considered objective.
       The bill in question (SB25) allows for the creation of human life via cloning, only for the purpose of then destroying that life in the research process. The Globe’s own poll conducted last week found only one half the support for embryonic stem cell research that the Civil Society Institute claims in their poll.        Moreover, the Globe poll found that 46% of the population opposed stem-cell research using human embryos cloned in a laboratory, with only 42% supporting it.
       In reporting on the poll commissioned by the Civil Society Institute, the State House News Service noted that support for the embryonic stem cell bill dropped when “respondents were provided with arguments on both sides of the issue”.

Related MassNews Story- Adult Stem Cells Could Eliminate Cloning