Fetal pain

1998/03/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Osasuna

According to some British experts, when most abortions occur, the human fetus does not suffer at all, since during the first 26 weeks of gestation the fetus does not feel pain. Bear in mind that 90% of abortions in Britain and the United States occur during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. British laws do not allow abortions longer than 24 weeks.

And it is that the pain, in the center of the brain, is felt when the nervation that leads to the cerebral cortex develops and, therefore, until the sensory links reach the cortex can not feel pain.

It is also recommended to use analgesics and anesthesia in all cases of surgery or scans performed to the fetus from the 24-week pregnancy.

For their part, anti-abortion groups indicate that within a few weeks of fertilization the fetus may feel pain. Other scientists accept the 13-week limit to cause abortions. At this age electrical activity is perceived in the brain that is about to develop and argue that it is possible to feel pain.