Part of the problem with the economic analysis of values is what the appropriate measure is. What's typically used is the quality adjusted life year. And we're not even sure that that's the most appropriate measure. It becomes difficult. How are you going to put a value on being able to dress yourself, on being able to feed yourself? These are very complex issues that can't be settled by a single equation or a single approach. It does speak to the need, again, to be transparent in how you make your decisions and how you value these things and to have input from the people who can give you the best information.
On May 9th, 2007. See this statement in context.