In: Economics
Calculate the marginal benefit to society from the purchase of a PET scanner. Yes or no on purchase in the decision column.
| 
 Probability that One cancer fatality could be at Prevented By a PET Scan  | 
 Value of One Life  | 
 Estimated Benefit  | 
 Cost of the Scanner  | 
 Decision  | 
||
| 
 1 in 1,000,000  | 
 x  | 
 =  | 
||||
| 
 1 in 1,000  | 
 x  | 
 =  | 
||||
| 
 1 in 10  | 
 x  | 
 =  | 
||||
| 
 1 in 2  | 
 x  | 
 =  | 
The cost of the scanner is $800,000. The value of one life is elevated to $10,000,000 now :)
Solution.
Following table can be generated with the help of given information
| 
 Probability that one cancer fatality could be prevented by a PET Scan  | 
 Value of one life  | 
 Estimated benefit  | 
 Cost of the Scanner  | 
 Decision  | 
|||
| 
 1 in 1000000 =  | 
 0.000001  | 
 X  | 
 10000000  | 
 =  | 
 10  | 
 800000  | 
 No  | 
| 
 1 in 1000 =  | 
 0.001  | 
 X  | 
 10000000  | 
 =  | 
 10000  | 
 800000  | 
 No  | 
| 
 1 in 10 =  | 
 0.1  | 
 X  | 
 10000000  | 
 =  | 
 1000000  | 
 800000  | 
 Yes  | 
| 
 1 in 2 =  | 
 0.5  | 
 X  | 
 10000000  | 
 =  | 
 5000000  | 
 800000  | 
 Yes  | 
In case of probability being 1 in 1000000, estimated benefit is lower than its cost. It is not advisable to purchase PET scanner in this case.
In case of probability being 1 in 1000, estimated benefit is lower than its cost. It is not advisable to purchase PET scanner in this case.
In case of probability being 1 in 10, estimated benefit is higher than its cost. It is advisable to purchase PET scanner in this case
In case of probability being 1 in 2, estimated benefit is higher than its cost. It is advisable to purchase PET scanner in this case