Support for protecting the unborn is rising in America, with one factor being a reaction against President Obama’s pro-abortion stance, a new poll has shown.

Researchers called the rise in opposition to abortion, up from 40 per cent to 44 per cent in one year, “unusual”.

Support for abortion has fallen from 54 to 47 per cent.

President Obama has stated in the past that one of his top priorities would be to back a Bill lifting restrictions on abortion across the USA.

In one of his first acts as President, Barack Obama lifted a ban on federal funding for international abortion groups.

The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, a non partisan research organisation which carried out the survey, pointed to the new President as one reason for the marked change.

It also said that one in five thought he would go too far with abortion ‘rights’.

Only 29 per cent of respondents believed he would handle the abortion issue correctly.

Greg Smith, a senior Pew Researcher commented on the figures.

He said: “In 2007 and 2008, supporters of abortion clearly outnumbered opponents by a 14-point margin.

“Now the margin is 3 percent. Basically, they are evenly divided.”

The study, which questioned over 4,000 adults, also asked about views on tightening abortion rules.

It found 65 per cent of respondents agreed it would be good to reduce abortions compared to 59 per cent in 2005.

Three quarters said people under 18 should have permission from a parent before undergoing an abortion.

In May a Gallup poll found that 51 per cent of Americans call themselves pro-life, against 42 per cent who say they are pro-choice.

In the first year of the Gallup poll, carried out in 1995, 33 per cent opposed abortion with 56 per cent supporting it.