At the onset of May 2020, there was mounting pressure on New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to ease Covid restrictions. In a televised speech, Cuomo remarked, “The faster we reopen, the lower the economic cost, but the higher the human cost because the more lives lost.” He posed a profound question, “How much is a human life worth?” acknowledging the unspoken dialogue that society shies away from but should confront openly.
This provocative inquiry forms the crux of the compelling book. While the topic may be unsettling, behind closed doors, the value of a human life is constantly being assessed. Who is tasked with making these critical decisions, for what objectives, and based on which criteria? And what insights do these calculations offer about our societal values and priorities?
In her debut book, journalist and broadcaster Jenny Kleeman delved into the realm of technological advancement by engaging with scientists and innovators at the forefront. In this latest work, she continues to unravel human narratives that bring a personal touch to the impersonal, conversing with those who wield the power of algorithms and those whose fates hang in the balance.
The exploration commences with a chilling revelation of the price placed on an individual’s head. Kleeman shares a meal with a former assassin who hesitates to delve into specifics, yet discloses that the average bounty in the UK hovers around £15,000. She recounts the distressing experiences of Vietnamese women trafficked to the UK as domestic servants. Additionally, she recounts the ordeal of the relatives of Rachel and Paul Chandler, a retired couple from Tunbridge Wells who were kidnapped while sailing in 2009. As the British government refrains from paying ransoms, the couple’s family is left to negotiate themselves, with the global average ransom demand in 2021 standing at $368,901.
The narrative shifts to a US company director selling donated bodies for approximately \(5,000 (excluding shipping), ensuring that these cadavers are solely utilized for medical research. Conversely, some bodies may end up as crash-test subjects or subjects for cosmetic surgery experiments. British universities, through intermediaries, procure bodies for anatomy courses, with a human head fetching around \)600.
Kleeman’s journey leads her to the Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth, Texas, the production site of the F-35 fighter jet, renowned as the most expensive military weaponry globally. Attempting to quantify the human cost associated with this lethal machine, Kleeman divides the jet’s cost (roughly $110 million) by the estimated number of casualties it has caused. While acknowledging the imprecision of this calculation, it prompts reflection on the necessity and morality of such exorbitant killing technologies.
One might anticipate life insurance to offer a more tangible measure, yet payouts are contingent on contributed premiums rather than individual worth assessments. Actuaries focus on predicting lifespan rather than assigning a monetary value to individuals. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority compensates murder victims’ families with £11,000, with higher sums allocated for severe injuries requiring lifelong care.
Following the 2017 London Bridge terrorist attack, families of stabbing victims were entitled to statutory compensation, while those impacted by the attackers’ van, operated by Hertz, received substantial payouts. Commercial insurance compensations vary widely, addressing not just the loss of life but the practical and emotional costs borne by the survivors.
Kleeman underscores the influence of social status, geographical location, market dynamics, and chance on pricing. While some disparities underscore inherent injustices, others present challenges in meaningful comparison. The author highlights instances like the £200 fee for a hitman or the $500 transaction for a child bride in Afghanistan, emphasizing the desperation underlying such transactions. However, the book delves deeper into the intricate allocation of resources and the ethical dilemmas surrounding the valuation of human life.
Advocates of effective altruism advocate for rational distribution of charitable contributions based on quantifiable benefits rather than emotional appeals. This approach prioritizes aiding distant strangers over local individuals for maximum impact. Notably, the book explores the notion of saving lives in Africa being deemed more cost-effective, with advocates pondering the optimal age bracket for life-saving interventions.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) in England and Wales adopts a dispassionate approach, primarily to optimize resources within a financially constrained healthcare system. Nice employs a metric known as a Qaly (quality-adjusted life year), valuing a year of good health at £20,000-30,000. Medications costing within this range per additional year of health improvement are typically approved by Nice.
Kleeman shares the poignant story of a mother advocating for her child with a rare genetic condition, who narrowly missed the age threshold for accessing an expensive medication. Through media advocacy, the mother successfully appealed to Nice, underscoring the organization’s humane aspect. Balancing individual needs against collective interests poses a significant challenge, exacerbated by market-driven healthcare systems.
The book serves as a profound exploration of intrinsic versus fungible value, drawing parallels to Shakespeare’s depiction of value in “The Merchant of Venice.” It critiques the imposition of rigid metrics on human lives while acknowledging the malleability of monetary worth. Kleeman adeptly navigates the landscape of quantification in a data-driven society, shedding light on the complexities of cost-benefit analysis.
In conclusion, Kleeman’s work prompts introspection on the implications of assigning a price to life, particularly in critical decision-making scenarios. While Cuomo and Sunak may assert the priceless nature of human life, the reality of resource allocation necessitates tough choices. By dissecting the economic ramifications of lockdown measures, the book underscores the nuanced ethical considerations involved in valuing human life.
“The Price of Life: In Search of What We’re Worth and Who Decides” by Jenny Kleeman is a thought-provoking read published by Picador (£18.99). To acquire your copy and support the Guardian and Observer, visit the provided link. Delivery charges may apply.