Poll: Majority of voters support gain of function virus research

A majority of voters support medical study known as gain of function research, a new Hill-HarrisX poll finds.

Sixty-seven percent of registered voters in a June 29-30 survey said they would rather medical research continue to work with viruses in an attempt to find cures even if they might create more deadly mutations.

By contrast, 33 percent of respondents said this type of research should stop even if it means the creation of vaccines and cures might be slower.

A majority of voters across party lines support this type of research with varying degrees of intensity.

Seventy-seven percent of Democrats said this type of research should continue along with 66 percent of independents and 58 percent of Republicans.

The survey comes as questions over the origins of the COVID-19 virus has reignited debate over the ethics of the gain of function research.

The most recent Hill-HarrisX poll was conducted online among 950 registered voters. It has a margin of error of 3.18 percentage points. 

—Gabriela Schulte