Catholic Physicians' Views Mimic other U.S. Physicians' Views on Key Moral Issues; Catholics Differ on Embryonic Stem Cell Research.

FLEMINGTON, N.J. -- According to a new national study conducted among 1,536 U.S. physicians, most Catholic physicians morally support several medical and ethical issues, which have been the source of controversy in the Church and the U.S. population.

Physicians overwhelming support the use of birth control pills among healthy adult women. A large majority of all physicians (93%) and Catholic physicians (87%) indicated that they would "prescribe birth control pills to any adult patients that request them and for whom they are medically appropriate."

The national survey was conducted by HCD Research and the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion (MCIPO) during April 21-23, as part of their continuing investigation of the social, political and economic issues confronting the U.S. health care system. The margin of error is plus or minus 3% with a confidence level of 95%.

The use of condoms to protect against AIDS in third world countries is also widely supported by U.S. physicians, with similar support among Catholic doctors. An overwhelming majority of all doctors (93%) and Catholic doctors (90%) support the actions of organizations that have been distributing condoms in 15 developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean on a monthly basis.

When asked whether homosexuality is morally acceptable, Catholic physicians were the most positive among Christian denominations. Approximately half (49%) of Catholic physicians supported the statement, "Do you feel homosexuality is morally acceptable as a lifestyle choice," 45% of Protestants (non-Baptist) and only 10% of Baptists agreed with the statement. A large majority of Jewish physicians (79%) supported the statement.

On the topic of stem cell research, Catholic doctors differ significantly from their peers. While 49% of U.S. physicians supported the morality of embryonic stem research, only 27% of Catholic doctors approved of the research. Close to half (46%) of Protestants (non-Baptist) and 22% of Baptists support the morality of embryonic stem cell research, while a clear majority of Jewish doctors (75%) support the practice.

Doctors of all religions overwhelmingly morally approved research of non-embryonic sources of stem cells such as cord blood and placental blood, as well as from tissue of living humans.

"For most of these controversial issues, physicians were in general agreement. However, we see considerable differences of opinion on the issues relating to embryonic stem cell research and gender preference, which may correlate directly with their religious beliefs," commented Glenn Kessler, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, HCD Research.

Headquartered in Flemington, New Jersey, HCD Research is a pioneer in Internet health care marketing and communications research. Headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, MCIPO is a respected source of public opinion data on local, state and national issues.

For more information on the survey results access http://www.hcdpoll.com/J5765/ or to schedule an interview with Glenn Kessler, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, HCD Research or Chris Borick, Ph.D., Associate Political Science Professor, Muhlenberg College, please contact Vince McGourty, M&M Communications, Inc., at 908-638-5555 or [e-mail].