Fetuses may not feel pain until week 30

[Pooeypants]

From Newscientist

Fetuses are unlikely to be able to feel pain until the last stage of pregnancy, a controversial new US study suggests. The analysis of medical literature relating to fetal pain concludes that fetuses of less than 30 weeks are unlikely to feel pain. It concludes that vital brain connections relating to pain perception form only between 23 to 30 weeks of gestation, and even if formed are unlikely to be functional until 30 weeks. The findings come into direct conflict with legislation in several US states – and a proposed US Congress Bill – that requires doctors to inform women seeking abortions 20 weeks after conception that the fetus can feel pain. The physician must also offer to give an anaesthetic or painkiller directly to the fetus. “Evidence is limited but indicates that fetal perception of pain is unlikely before the third trimester,” write the researchers, led by Mark Rosen at the University of California, San Francisco, US. They add in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA): “Fetal anaesthesia or analgesia should not be recommended or routinely offered for abortion because current experimental techniques provide unknown fetal benefit and may increase risks for the woman.”

For the full article, click here

So what does everyone think about these preliminary findings? Does it change affect your opinion of abortions?

[Osborn F Enready]

It hasn't changed my opinion, because I have always supported the womans right to choose.

I do however feel this is more proof that abortion in the earliest stages of development is not cruel, nor inhumane to the fetus.

I also notice that they have pretty much proven the brain is not connected until the 26th week, which to me is proof enough the self awareness, is not possible before this time.

Recognizing both that unwanted pregnancies will occur, and that late term abortion is once the fetus becomes self aware, I remain in the position that abortion at the earliest possible time is the most humane way to prevent unwanted pregnancy once all forms of contraceptive fail. I would still however, think that the "day after pill" is the best form of after-conception abortion.

Write the FDA about your thoughts on the morning after pill. They will be taking public input for the next 60 days while attempting to decide how to tackle the issue of over-the-counter, or prescription only if the pill is released.

Ignoring the problems of unwanted pregnancy is much more inhumane than empowering the mother to make a sound, rational, medical choice based on factual information in a legal enviroment should she choose abortion.

[Savant]

I wonder what pain must be to a fetus. Their sense are all screwed up, even after they ae born. Their brians can't make sense of images, sounds, they even effect each other, they see a lound noise, etc. I hope pain is just as muddled, as birth has got to hurt like hell - if you have a normally functioning sense of pain.