EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE AFTER 6:30 P.M. Monday, August 13, 2001

Bushs Decision on Stem-Cell Funding Is Unpopular with Research Opponents

Most Americans favor George W. Bushs limited federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research. But while supporters of less-restricted research are satisfied with their half-loaf, the presidents action is overwhelmingly unpopular among stem-cell research opponents.

Overall, 56 percent of Americans favor Bushs decision. Among those who would have preferred broader funding, 79 percent are satisfied with the limited funding hes allowed. But among those who oppose any funding, approval plummets to just 17 percent.

PREFERENCE While Bushs action gets overall majority approval, thats not the same as majority preference. The public fragments on its preferred approach: A third would have preferred broader funding; 30 percent prefer the limited funding Bush is providing; and 26 percent would have preferred no federal funding at all for stem-cell research.

ABORTION VIEWS People who oppose legal abortion are most critical of Bushs decision, but theres a diversity of opinion even in this group. Indeed among those who oppose abortion in "most cases," but not in all cases, more approve than disapprove of Bushs action.

Opposition peaks among those who oppose legal abortion "in all cases" (about a fifth of the population). In this group 57 percent disapprove of Bushs decision; a third approve, despite their strong view on the abortion issue.

KNOWLEDGE - Six in 10 Americans feel they have a good basic understanding of the stem-cell issue, and knowledge may be working on Bushs side. Among people who feel reasonably informed on the subject, 63 percent approve of his action; among those who dont feel informed, approval falls to 46 percent, and many more are undecided.

In concert with knowledge, approval of Bushs action is also higher among better-educated adults.

People who feel they understand the issue also are more apt to favor broader, less-restricted federal funding for stem-cell research. Among those who report "a good basic understanding," 42 percent prefer broader funding; among those with less knowledge, this falls to 22 percent.

RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL GROUPS Despite the opposition of church leaders, white Catholics approve of Bushs action by 59-34 percent. White evangelical Protestants approve by a somewhat narrower 51-37 percent. Non-evangelical white Protestants approve most broadly, by 69-22 percent.

Majority approval also crosses political lines. Sixty-six percent of Republicans approve of Bushs decision on the issue, as do about 55 percent of independents and Democrats alike.

METHODOLOGY - This ABC News poll was conducted by telephone Aug. 10-12, 2001, among a random national sample of 1,040 adults. The results have a three-point error margin. Field work by ICR-International Communications Research of Media, PA.

Analysis by Gary Langer, ABC News.