The AP reports that new research from scientists at the University of California, San Francisco has found that fetuses cannot feel pain until around the seventh month of pregnancy -- 28 weeks. And as a result of their findings, these scientists are recommending that doctors not be required to discuss fetal pain with women seeking first and second-term abortions.
Anti-choice Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kan) introduced legislation earlier this year that would "require doctors to inform women seeking abortions after the 22nd week of gestation that their fetus feels pain and offer to anesthetize the fetus." Brownback says that in light of the new study he's gearing up for "a robust debate." (sigh). I bet he is...
Check out the full article for details on the study...
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While I believe that it is completely inappropriate to draft legislation around science in dispute, and I don't buy into the notion of pain without a cortex or thalamus connection, I'm a little disturbed by the "28-30 weeks" number being pushed here on an apparent neurological basis, because it *has* been shown that cortex connections are made around week 26. There's a lot of merit to an argument that there won't be much felt until *birth*, because the fetal bloodstream is loaded with natural sedatives, but the neurological basis for experiencing pain could be theoretically present by week 26, according to all of the previous research I'm familiar with.
I went hunting for refreshers on the net, and found an excellent summary of all of the science involved, by the way, complete with references:
http://www.prochoiceactionnetwork-canada.org/articles/fetal-pain.shtml
You're painting that story as far more conclusive than it really is, which bothers me. I'm not a fan of the pain legislation, but this kind of biased portrayal of research is a huge problem in the media. Not just for this topic, but for issues like evolution and global warming. It doesn't help resolve matters in the least. You need to be more objective and cautious.