I'm in the camp that sacrificing a life for anything is never a good idea. I just think that we as human beings shouldn't think so calculated on how we view life because it some way cheapens it for everyone.

Love this experiment. An ethics professor in my first year started his class with almost the exact same thought experiments EXCEPT the last one was tweaked just a bit to make it even harder for those to decide. I know he didn't make it and the thought experiment went something like: A person (I think it was a girl) is being tortured, but because they are being tortured you maximize the happiness of millions for the foreseeable future, is it okay to torture that one person? (I'm pretty sure that's how it goes, but if someone wants to correct me feel free)

A lot of people in my class struggled with the answer especially those who had remained consistent with their beliefs. I guess it is just the perceived benefit of lives saved is much greater.

Looking back at it that experiment reminds me a lot of an anime I just watched, anyway.