ABSTRACT
We have defended the QALY approach, and situated it within a broadly utilitarian framework, and in this sense have defended a particular conception of the good: maximizing quantity and quality of life (or, more broadly, utility). But that does not mean we are arguing for an allocation of health care resources based solely on maximizing QALYs, or that we wish to dismiss the preferences of other members of the community. We are aware that many members of the general public, and many of our colleagues, do not share our view; and that there are other alternative ethical theories, perspec tives and judgments which those who hold them believe to be supported by equally good or better reasons than those advanced by us.
