parfait wrote:Ehwmatt wrote:parfait wrote:Don't twist my words. I said that a fetus does not have the same brain function as a baby, because of the fact that the brain is still evolving. My professor (veteran pathologist) had a long lecture about the exact topic a while ago, and basically says the same thing as I say, (though in a much more complex way, cause let's face it; some of you aren't rocket scientists

)
Here's an english review and conclusion done by several doctors. A quote:
Evidence regarding the capacity for fetal pain is limited but indicates that fetal perception of pain is unlikely before the third trimester. Little or no evidence addresses the effectiveness of direct fetal anesthetic or analgesic techniques.
So please stop with your E.R bullshit. I just state the fact - like it or not.
Right, and I can go and find substantiated medical research that says the exact opposite of what these studies say with a simple google search. Science isn't infallible, and moreover, it's not above politicking. This is one of those things that they'll never be able to know one way or another for sure. The fact that you're on here trumpeting the no pain for the fetus line of thought as unassailable fact is wrong.
This is just stupid. You can tell yourself that it isn't a fact as much as you want, it doesn't make what I say less of a fact. Please make a "simple" google search and find sound research that states otherwise - do it, please! And sure they'll be able to know; it's not that hard of a test either.
You my friend just got... Owned

Here is what the VERY FIRST hit on Google yielded. I am headed out for dinner, otherwise I'm sure I could find plenty more. Admittedly, some of the quotes are somewhat dated, but the point is, it's not impossible to fit science to your agenda, especially in a realm where conjecture is going to inherently never be fully resolved, like figuring out what a fuckin fetus feels. I'm not saying one way or the other is 100% truth, but you are, and that's where I take exception. From researching for 5 minutes, it seems the only thing close to a consensus among those in the field is that before 9 weeks the chances of feeling pain are slim.
But early on there is no cerebral cortex for thinking, therefore no pain?
The cortex isn’t needed to feel pain. The thalamus is needed and (see above) is functioning at 8 weeks. Even complete removal of the cortex does not eliminate the sensation of pain. "Indeed there seems to be little evidence that pain information reaches the sensory cortex." Patton et al., Intro. to Basic Neurology, W. B. Saunders Co. 1976, p. 178
But isn’t pain mostly psychological?
There is also organic, or physiological pain which elicits a neurological response to pain. P. Lubeskind, "Psychology & Physiology of Pain," Amer. Review Psychology, vol. 28, 1977, p. 42
From testimony before the US House of Reps:
"The fetus within this time frame of gestation, 20 weeks and beyond, is fully capable of experiencing pain. Without doubt a partial birth abortion is a dreadfully painful experience for any infant. R. White, Dir. Neurosurgery & Brain Research, Case Western Univ.
Also, "Far from being less able to feel pain, such premature newborns may be more sensitive to pain"...that babies under 30 weeks have a "newly established pain system that is raw and unmodified at this tender age." P. Ranalli, Neuro. Dept., Univ. of Toronto
Data in the British Medical Journal, Lancet, gave solid confirmation of such pain. It is known that the fetal umbilical cord has no pain receptors such as the rest of the fetal body. Accordingly, they tested fetal hormone stress response comparing puncturing of the abdomen and of the cord.
They observed "the fetus reacts to intrahepatic (liver) needling with vigorous body and breathing movements, but not to cord needling. The levels of these hormones did not vary with fetal age." M. Fisk, et al., Fetal Plasma Cortisol and B-endorphin Response to Intrauterine Needling, Lancet, Vol. 344, July 9, 1994, Pg. 77
Another excellent British study commented on this:
"It cannot be comfortable for the fetus to have a scalp electrode implanted on his skin, to have blood taken from the scalp or to suffer the skull compression that may occur even with spontaneous delivery. It is hardly surprising that infants delivered by difficult forceps extraction act as if they have a severe headache." Valman & Pearson, "What the Fetus Feels," British Med. Jour., Jan. 26, 1980
Pain can be detected when nociceptors (pain receptors) discharge electrical impulses to the spinal cord and brain. These fire impulses outward, telling the muscles and body to react. These can be measured. Mountcastle, Medical Physiology, St. Louis: C.V. Mosby, pp. 391-427 "Lip tactile response may be evoked by the end of the 7th week. At 11 weeks, the face and all parts of the upper and lower extremities are sensitive to touch. By 13 1/2 to 14 weeks, the entire body surface, except for the back and the top of the head, are sensitive to pain." S. Reinis & J. Goldman, The Development of the Brain C. Thomas Pub., 1980
A more technical description would add that changes in heart rate and fetal movement also suggest that intrauterine manipulations are painful to the fetus. Volman & Pearson, "What the Fetus Feels," British Med. Journal, Jan. 26, 1980, pp. 233-234.
Listen college boy, just because your Pathology 101 professor says so doesn't make it infallible truth.