Kass believed the policy would pass the ethical test, Bush writes, as long as Bush did two things: 1) make it clear the dignity of human life of the embryos had been violated, and, 2) make clear no further federal funding would be allowed.

In his new book, former President George W. Bush provides a behind-the-scenes look at his landmark 2001 decision that prohibited most forms of embryonic stem cell research, acknowledging that he knew very little about the issue when he first arrived in office but explaining how six months of research led him to a conclusion he believes will be vindicated by science and history.

Bush’s “Decision Points,” No. 1 on The New York Times hardcover nonfiction bestseller list, lays out 14 of the most significant decisions he believes shaped his life and his presidency. He devotes one of those chapters to his much-debated August 2001 decision that allowed federal money to be used for research only on embryonic stem cell lines that were in existence at the time of his speech. The decision prohibited federal dollars from going toward any lines created after that date.

Because embryonic stem cell research requires the destruction of embryos, pro-lifers oppose it. Bush’s decision received mixed reviews from both sides of the issue. At the time — just weeks before the September terrorist attacks — it was considered the biggest decision yet of his young administration……

After “several months of listening and reflecting,” Bush was close to a decision. A “defining moment” came during a July 10 discussion with Leon Kass, a University of Chicago expert on medical ethics who sides with pro-lifers on many issues.

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