Value as a human being is an intrinsic quality that is not determined by medical status, the cost of healthcare, or the specific medications a person requires. From ethical, philosophical, and legal perspectives, human worth is considered universal and equal, regardless of health conditions or financial investment in treatment.

​In modern society, several frameworks reinforce this concept:

​Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Value

• ​Intrinsic Value: This is the idea that every human life has an inherent worth simply by existing. It is the foundation of human rights and does not fluctuate based on health, productivity, or wealth.
• ​Extrinsic Value: This refers to external factors like job title, income, or economic impact. While a high-dollar treatment represents a significant economic cost, it does not translate into a higher or lower status of human “value.”

​The Healthcare Perspective

​Medical treatments, including high-cost Disease-Modifying Therapies (DMTs), are designed to preserve quality of life and manage health. The price of these drugs is often a reflection of research, development, and manufacturing complexities rather than a “price tag” on the individual receiving them. Access to such treatment is a matter of healthcare equity and medical necessity.

​Equality and Dignity

​The principle of human dignity suggests that a person’s value remains constant. Whether someone requires no medical intervention or the most expensive treatment available, their fundamental rights and their standing as a person remain the same.

​In short, your value is a baseline constant of being human; it cannot be increased or decreased by the pharmacy costs or the medical technology used to support your health.