January 22, 2003

Leger Poll on Cloning Manipulates Responses

On Monday, January 20, 2003 the Canadian Press/Leger Marketing Poll was released purportedly showing peoples’ response to the issue of cloning. It reported that 84% of the respondents opposed cloning of human beings, while 5% were in favour. In a second part of the question, 32% were opposed to the cloning of human embryos, while 53% were in favour.

“Human embryos are human beings”, said Dr. John Shea, Medical Consultant for Campaign Life Coalition. “This is an indisputable scientific fact", he continued. “We can only hope that Parliament will recognize this fact and enact appropriate and just legislation”.

The important element of any poll is the wording of the question because it directs the response. In this poll the first questions asked were; The media recently reported the birth of two cloned babies. In relation to this news, are you for or against the cloning of human beings? Next question was: Are you for or against the cloning of human embryos for the creation of stem cells that could be used in transplants, organ replacements or in the prevention or treatment of diseases that are presently incurable?

“The slant of the questions in this poll call for the responses given”, said Jim Hughes, National President of Campaign Life Coalition. “Basically you are asking, are you in favour of cloning a human being which will be born or in favour of cloning a human being to steal their stem cells killing them in the process.” “The second part of question one is deliberately deceitful. There has never been a clinic cure of anyone using embryonic stem cells, while the use of adult stem cell therapy has been very successful. Using the patient's own stem cells prevents rejection and the life-long use of costly anti-rejection drugs.”

Campaign Life Coalition calls on the federal government to drop Bill C-13 which will allow the use and killing of human embryos for research and will permit cloning. We call on people to call their MPs and tell them to vote against Bill C-13 when it is presented.

Media Contacts:
Dr. John Shea, Medical Consultant, Campaign Life Coalition, 416-223-4860
Hilary White, CLC Toronto Office 416-204-9749
Mary Ellen Douglas, National Organizer CLC Kingston 613-389-4472
Karen Murawsky, Director, CLC Public Affairs Office, Ottawa 613-720-0379

Campaign Life Coalition is Canada's national pro-life political organization.