No can do.
If we don't consider the cost of the search for life, the discussion has no bearing on reality. Like it or not we do have to factor these things in.
That's an appalling analogy.
Even if we found life off Earth that was so similar to us as to be virtually indistinguishable, it would answer many fundamental questions that have been debated for centuries. It would also raise new questions and challenges. It would still change the face of our society forever.