Over the past decade, federal funding for embryonic stem cell research in the US has been held up continuously by rogue players—first by former President George W. Bush who established an executive order in 2001 limiting funding and twice vetoed legislation to expand the scope of such research, and now by a US district court judge's decision that threatens to halt taxpayer supported embryonic stem cell science altogether.

But these actions do not reflect the will of the US public. In fact, nowadays a majority of Americans think research involving stem cells derived from embryos left over from in vitro fertilization procedures is acceptable. “It underscores the fact that disease and disability are not partisan,” says Mary Woolley, president of Research!America, an advocacy group based in Alexandria, Virginia. “The American public doesn't see it that way, even if on occasion their elected officials take sides in a partisan way.”

The most recent poll, conducted five weeks after the 23 August temporary injunction by Harris Interactive and HealthDay, surveyed more than 2,100 adults ages 18 and over.