An interesting dilemma

Diarist DarkSyde at Daily Kos posits an interesting hypothetical dilemma for a president who refuses to support stem cell research on the grounds that it "destroys life in order to save life:

How about this: Shortly after takeoff, an airliner strays off course. Then the transponder goes off, the plane won't answer hails, and the airliner begins a gentle turn coming to a heading towards Washington, DC, or New York City. The situation is muddled and time is short. It would be a heavy decision to have to make, but after 9/11, I could see a case for why that plane might have to be shot down.

Uh-oh! A communique comes in from the airline company; In addition to the 200 men, women, and children on board, there is a cryogenic container carrying fertilized human embryos. It happens that they're being flown from an IVF clinic to a biomedical waste disposal facility where they will be destroyed. Regardless, the President has no choice, he cannot bring the plane down, not and and remain consistent with his own position. Shooting down a plane full of people? Tragically, possibly, necessary. Embryo on board? Cease fire!