Poll shows public against embryos Bill

The majority of the public are against three crucial plans in the Government’s controversial embryos Bill, a new poll reveals.

In the first poll since widespread media coverage of the proposals, 79% think it is important to consider a child’s need for a father in IVF, 60% think it is wrong to create animal-human embryos (only 33% do not think it is wrong), and a majority (51%) agree that the creation of ‘saviour siblings’ denies the child a choice in how its body is used.

The poll was conducted by ComRes, a member of the British Polling Council, on behalf of The Christian Institute. 1,004 GB adults were polled by telephone between 28 and 31 March 2008.

Colin Hart, Director of The Christian Institute, said today:

“There has been huge coverage of the embryos Bill over the last week. The public have heard the arguments for and against the plans. Now they have spoken and they say “no” to animal-human embryos, “no” to undermining fathers in IVF and “no” to saviour siblings. The Prime Minister has given way and allowed a free vote on these issues. I hope MPs will take note of the public’s opposition to these plans.”

Headline data can be viewed here:

https://www.christian.org.uk/hfebillpollheadlines31mar08.pdf

Full poll data can be viewed here:

https://www.christian.org.uk/hfebillpolldata31mar08.pdf

Notes:

ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. 1,004 GB adults were polled by telephone between 28 and 31 March 2008. Data were weighted to be representative demographically of all GB adults. Full data tables available at www.comres.co.uk