Bioethics.net Poll Archive

Poll Archive

Poll Question: Should scientists continue to investigate the potential healing power of remote, intercessory prayer
Total Votes: 106

0	Yes, I don't feel studies have conclusively proven that intercessory prayer does not work. (%)
0	Yes, regardless of what the studies say, if researchers still think it's a valid area of study then they should - who knows what they'll find(%)
26	No, the studies have conclusively shown that intercessory prayer does not work.(25.8%)
80	No, prayer is faith and medicine is science, and the two should remain separate.(25.8%)
0	Maybe -I'd like to see more proof on one side or the other.(0%)

Poll Question: Who is most to blame for recent crises in food and consumer product safety?
Total Votes: 132

39	The federal government, through its underfunding of safety and oversight agencies. (29.5%)
58	Industry, because of its outsourcing to poorly regulated overseas producers.(43.9%)
34	Consumers, through their demand for abundant low-cost food, toys and other goods.(25.8%)

Poll Question: What is the most important ethical issue in face transplantation?
Total Votes: 104

14	Medical valorization of beauty (13.4%)
36	Unjust allocation of scarce medical resources (34.6%)
39	Inadequate definition of disease and/or cure (37.5%)
15	Harm to the institution of transplantation (14.4%)

Poll Question: Would you buy a genetically modified GloFish™ as a pet?
Total Votes: 17

13	Yes (76.5%)
3	No (17.6%)
1	Maybe (5.9%)

Poll Question: Do you think organ donors should be compensated by the government?
Total Votes: 72

22	Yes (30.6%)
50	No (69.4%)

Poll Question: Do celebrities have a better chance to get an organ transplant?
Total Votes: 92

82	Yes (89.1%)
10	No (10.9%)

Poll Question: What effect will the re-election of George Bush have on stem cell research?
Total Votes: 301

68	Little, it is mostly corporate anyway (22.6%)
24	A few hES scientists will move to other countries (8%)
84	Most US hES will move to California (27.9%)
124	Stem cell research will be decreased overall (41.2%)

Poll Question: Should the role of military physicans change during a war?
Total Votes: 166

26	Yes, duty to the country comes first (15.7%)
140	No, doctors should serve the interest of the patient first (84.3%)

Poll Question: What do you think about the new FDA Advisory Board on Drug Safety?
Total Votes: 107

30	Advisory board is not independent so it will not have much of influence (28%)
56	Just a reaction to recent drug safety issues (52.3%)
21	A step towards the right direction (19.6%)

Poll Question: Do you support or oppose the decision to remove Schiavo\'s feeding tube?
Total Votes: 633

158	I oppose, leave the feeding tube (25%)
430	I support, let\'s honor her wishes (67.9%)	$I support, let\'s honor her wishes - 430 votes (67.9%)$
45	I am not sure (7.1%)

Poll Question: Should the U.S. government regulate stem cell research?
Total Votes: 242

124	Regulation should be mandated with federal funding (51.2%)
69	The goverment should provide funds without any limitation (28.5%)
32	Stem cell research should be banned (13.2%)
17	Current status on stem cell resarch is adequate (7%)

Poll Question: Should the Food and Drug Administration approve over-the-counter sales of emergency contraceptives?
Total Votes: 223

63	No - emergency contraceptives should be available by prescription only. (28.3%)
54	Yes, but only for women over the age of 17. (24.2%)
106	Yes, for all women regardless of age. (47.5%)

Poll Question: Should the Food and Drug Administration approve the consumption of meat and milk obtained from cloned cattle?
Total Votes: 175

18	Don\'t ask me, I\'m vegan. (10.3%)	$Don\'t ask me, I\'m vegan. - 18 votes (10.3%)$
96	Of course not. The long-term health effects are still unknown. (54.9%)
61	Why not? And while they\'re at it, maybe they can genetically engineer the cows to be even tastier. (34.9%)	$Why not? And while they\'re at it, maybe they can genetically engineer the cows to be even tastier. - 61 votes (34.9%)$

Poll Question: Should financial compensation for egg donation be outlawed?
Total Votes: 55

8	Yes. Paying egg donors is inherently wrong (14.5%)
8	Yes, but only for eggs harvested for research purposes. Private IVF clinics still should compensate their donors. (14.5%)
39	No. Egg donation is a painful and risky procedure, so women should be adequately compensated. (70.9%)

Poll Question: What will be the impact of the unfolding South Korean scandal on embryonic stem cell research worldwide?
Total Votes: 111

44	Just a minor speed bump given the enormous therapeutic potential of stem cells. (39.6%)
34	Publicly-funded research will be curtailed for some time, but commercial entities will still pursue these technologies. (30.6%)
33	The scandal will give groups opposed to embryonic stem cell research the ammunition they need to circumscribe or even ban further studies. (29.7%)

Poll Question: Should licensed medical professionals take part in the execution of a condemned criminal?
Total Votes: 105

73	No, as such interventions would be unethical - primum non nocere. (69.5%)
32	Yes, in order to ensure that the execution is carried out as painlessly and humanely as possible. (30.5%)

Poll Question: Is the use of implantable RFID chips to store patient medical records a good idea?
Total Votes: 75

27	Y (36%)
47	N (62.7%)
	(0%)
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Poll Question: Should direct-to-consumer marketing of pharmaceuticals be banned?
Total Votes: 60

43	Yes. (71.7%)
17	No. (28.3%)

Poll Question: What phrase best describes the relationship between liberal and conservative bioethicists?
Total Votes: 67

15	Big tent. (22.4%)
52	Partisan battlefield. (77.6%)

Poll Question: Do you support the FDA\'s recent decision to allow over-the-counter sales of the \'morning after\' contraceptive pill to women age 18 and older?
Total Votes: 67

47	Yes. (70.1%)
20	No. (29.9%)

Poll Question: What word best describes Advanced Cell Technologies\' recent announcement that embryonic stem cell lines can be produced without destroying human embryos?
Total Votes: 65

35	Hype. (53.8%)
30	Hope. (46.2%)

Poll Question: Should HIV Tests Be Given Routinely?
Total Votes: 109

93	Yes. (85.3%)
16	No. (14.7%)

Poll Question: Should parents have the right to stunt growth of disabled kids so they can keep caring for them at home?
Total Votes: 53

6	Yes. (11.3%)
47	No. (88.7%)

Poll Question: Do you agree with recent recommendations that doctors not resusitate premature infants born at or before 22 weeks gestation?
Total Votes: 106

69	Yes. (65.1%)
37	No. (34.9%)

Poll Question: In light of the New York City Board of Health\'s decision to ban artificial trans fats, do you believe that government agencies have overstepped their authority to regulate what consumers eat?
Total Votes: 43

17	No, the government needs to protect the public health. (39.5%)
25	Yes, the government should not act as the food police. (58.1%)

Poll Question: Are philantrophic organizations like the Gates Foundation ethically obligated to divest themselves from companies whose practices and products potentially harm the environment or public health?
Total Votes: 63

41	Yes. (65.1%)
22	No. (34.9%)

Poll Question: Should HPV vaccination be mandatory for all school-age girls?
Total Votes: 261

127	Yes. (48.7%)
134	No. (51.3%)

Poll Question: Should adult male circumcision be promoted widely as a tool to combat the HIV pandemic?
Total Votes: 46

26	Yes. (56.5%)
20	No. (43.5%)

Poll Question: What do you think of the recent Supreme Court decision upholding a federal ban on so-called partial-birth abortion?
Total Votes: 80

37	A smart, well-reasoned ruling. (46.3%)
43	A blow to reproductive rights. (53.8%)

Poll Question: What do you think of the FDA\'s recent decision not to lift the 1983 ban prohibiting gay men from donating blood?
Total Votes: 109

42	Cautious and wise. (38.5%)
67	Ill-conceived and homophobic. (61.5%)

Poll Question: Are health care workers infected with HIV or hepatitis obligated to disclose that information to patients?
Total Votes: 90

34	Yes. (37.8%)
56	No. (62.2%)

Poll Question: Should employees who overeat, smoke or have other unhealthy habits be charged more by their employers for health insurance?
Total Votes: 100

51	Yes. (51%)
49	No. (49%)

Poll Question: Should criminial suspects be forced to undergo HIV testing in cases of rape or when police or other first responders are exposed to their blood?
Total Votes: 202

178	Yes. (88.1%)
24	No. (11.9%)