TOPEKA ? Kansans overwhelmingly support embryonic stem cell research, according to a poll released today that was commissioned by a group that opposes bans on stem cell research.

The poll of 800 registered voters in Kansas is the latest in a buildup of arguments over the issue that is expected to be hotly debated this year.

Proposed bans on what is called Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer have been filed in the Kansas Legislature and by U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., in Congress.

Brownback said he planned to hold hearings soon on the issue.

“It’s my hope that … we will have a full scale debate on bioethics in the United States,” Brownback said recently.

The Kansas poll was overseen by Fred Steeper, a renowned Republican pollster who has served President Bush, his father and Presidents Reagan and Ford.

Steeper conducted the survey on behalf of the Kansas Coalition for Lifesaving Cures, a pro stem-cell coalition of patient groups and medical organizations.

Pollsters said that Kansas voters approved using stem cells from the somatic transfer process 69 percent to 28 percent, approve of stem cell research from leftover fertility clinic embryos 66 percent to 33 percent, and favor allowing somatic transfer research in Kansas 70 percent to 27 percent.

“The voters’ support of embryonic stem cell research exists both before and after they hear major arguments made by opponents and supporters,” Steeper said.

Stem cells, which form early in an embryo’s development, can grow into various cells to form organs and other body parts. Some scientists believe such cells could be used to repair damaged body parts and cure diseases.

In the somatic transfer process, DNA is transplanted into a woman’s unfertilized egg. The egg is then stimulated to divide, as it would when fertilized by a sperm, and stem cells are harvested.

Opponents of the process say it amounts to abusing human life and experimenting with human cloning because the cells could develop further if implanted in a uterus.

But the coalition says it is not the same as cloning, and that they would support banning human cloning.

“Kansans support our coalition’s policy that any stem cell research, therapies, and cures allowed under federal law should be allowed in Kansas, provided that such activities are conducted ethically and safely and do not involve human reproductive cloning,” said Lori Hutfles, executive director of the coalition.