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Counterpoint: How many are dying because the software isn’t free? It’s possible that more could be saved if it was. Perhaps harm doesn’t rank highly for those seeking to make profits from medical equipment?


You think software companies get rich from the proprietary software in medical equipment sold in low quantities that cost a million dollar and is made from super strong magnets creating insane magnetic forces?

Answering your question: probably zero. Medical equipment is expensive due to the very high-tech technology it requires (the aforementioned magnets, but for ultrasound imaging one has to simultaneously output and receive sound waves in multiple dimensions) as well as the safety level being so high (you don’t want the given radiation amount overflow due to a bug).

Find blame in for-profit insurances instead.


Yes, I do think that "software companies" are aiming to make money off of software (by definition). That aside, I do not understand what point you're trying to make. Sure, software development is likely not the most expensive part of medical devices (although I wouldn't be so sure that's generally true). Free software could still speed up R&D and therefore help save lives.




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