RE: Valuation of Human Life

From: Smigrodzki, Rafal (SmigrodzkiR@msx.upmc.edu)
Date: Wed May 22 2002 - 13:34:30 MDT


15yo 10F/10M
25yo 10F/10M
35yo 10F/10M

45yo 10F/10M - coinflip

The 5 year-olds can be deceived, and will not suffer. They can die. The
older adults might be less important for continued survival of the rest.
This minimizes the suffering of death and maximizes long-term survival, as
measured in QALY (quality-adjusted life years), while attempting to maintain
moral symmetry. A different valuation might be necessary once life-extension
techniques are available - then a coinflip might be the most equitable
solution. Additional complications might be introduced if strict economic
considerations had to be taken into account - then the fifteen year-olds
might have to die to save the economically valuable middle-aged persons.

Rafal



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