Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- President Bush defended his strong stance during his administration against forcing taxpayers to fund embryonic stem cell research. He also talked about whether a pro-abortion Republican would ever become president and the importance of the pro-life stance for a presidential candidate.

Bush's comments came in an interview aired Friday on EWTN’s World Over Live program with Raymond Arroyo.

"Well, yes, I do feel like it was the right decision then, and obviously the data has now shown that -- I hope it shows to people it's the right decision," the president said when asked about his bioethics stance.

He said future presidents will have to grapple with the conflict he had to mediate between science and ethics.

"I think this is the beginning of what is a very interesting debate that future presidents are going to have to deal with, and that is science versus ethics, the value of life versus saving life -- supposedly," he said.

"I've obviously drawn the line in the sand that honoring life in all forms is a touchstone for good science," he added.

The EWTN host asked Bush whether he thought there would ever be a pro-abortion nominee for president in his lifetime.

"I don't know. That's an interesting question. No telling what you'll see in my lifetime when it comes to American politics -- from both sides," Bush said.

The president also responded to a question about the importance of having a pro-life candidate on the Republican ticket and the importance of the pro-life stance in general.

"I think it's important for people to understand that a culture of life is in our national interests," he said.

"It's also important to understand that the politics of abortion isn't going to change until people's hearts change, and fully understand the meaning of life and what it means for a society to value life in all forms -- whether it be the life of the unborn, or the life of the elderly; whether it be the life of the less fortunate among us, or the life of the rich guy," Bush added.

"I mean, it's a moral touchstone, I think, that will speak to a healthy society in the long run," he said.

President Bush talked about the kind of steadfast values the next president will need to guide the country.

"I do know that in order for a President to be effective he better bring a set of principles from which he will not deviate, and articulate them as clearly as he can," he said.

Bush said a president should put forth those values "and then not worry about immediate popularity, because popularity comes and goes, but what doesn't change are solid principles."