Does a fetus feel pain during an abortion?

The question of whether a fetus experiences pain during an abortion is scientifically complex and depends on the neurological development of the fetus.

Pain perception requires the presence of certain brain structures, such as the thalamus and cerebral cortex. These structures are necessary to process sensory signals (such as pain). The thalamocortical connections, which are crucial for pain perception, begin to form between the 23rd and 30th week of pregnancy. Before this time, the fetal cerebral cortex is not yet sufficiently developed to process pain stimuli.

Most scientists and medical organizations state that a fetus is unlikely to experience pain before 24 weeks of pregnancy. This is because the brain structures necessary for pain perception are not yet fully developed.

There is evidence that fetuses do exhibit reflexive movements in response to stimuli before this stage, but these movements are considered reflexive, without consciously experiencing pain.

Some scientists and ethical groups believe that fetuses can exhibit signs of pain earlier in pregnancy. They base their findings on observations of physiological reactions, such as increased hormone levels (e.g. cortisol) during interventions. However, most medical experts argue that these are not conscious pain experiences because the brain is not yet sufficiently developed.

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8935428/

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-09-30 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024