Two thirds of people are opposed to the creation of part-human, part-animal embryos, a Catholic church survey has suggested.
The leader of Scotland's Catholics Cardinal Keith O'Brien, who last month described plans for the research as "monstrous", welcomed the findings.
It comes after Gordon Brown bowed to pressure for a free vote on the controversial Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.
The Prime Minister announced that individuals would be allowed to follow their conscience on crucial elements of the laws.
Commenting on the poll results, Cardinal O'Brien said: "I am delighted to see that the overwhelming majority of people, like me, are completely opposed to the creation of animal-human hybrids.
"I sincerely hope that Gordon Brown and all our MPs will take notice of this result and reconsider the need for this legislation.
"It is time the Government focussed its attention on supporting and funding stem cell research which is both ethical and effective which is research using adult stem cells.
"Our Government deliberately ignore this proven research in favour of the morally bankrupt blind alley of embryo destruction."
The Bill, which updates legislation initially passed in 1990, will expand the scope of embryo research in a number of areas. Backers regard it as vital for progress in treating and preventing conditions such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, cancer and heart disease.
Most controversially, the law will allow the creation of so-called hybrid "admix" embryos by the combination of animal eggs and human nuclei in the laboratory.