U.S. adults favor taxpayer-funded research

WASHINGTON, April 7 (UPI) -- Seventy-two percent of U.S. adults say they favor expanding federal funding for embryonic stem cells research, a survey indicates.

A survey, commissioned by Research!America, questioned 32 percent self-described conservatives, 32 percent of self-described liberals and 35 self-described moderates -- and 78 percent say federal funding for health research is important for job creation and the economy.

The survey indicated 61 percent say accelerating the nation's investment in research to improve health is a priority, 76 percent say global health research and development is important to the U.S. economy and

84 percent say it is important that the government play a role in research for prevention and wellness.

"Today we face the most daunting challenge to research funding in perhaps 65 years," former Rep. John E. Porter, R-Ill., chairman of Research!America, says in a statement. "Now is a crucial time to ask elected officials their views on medical and health research."

Ninety percent say the United States is in danger of losing its global competitive edge in science, technology and education, a 5 percent increase since May 2010.

The survey of 1,000 U.S. registered voters was conducted by Charlton Research Co. in March. It has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.