Human fetus in a jar on display at MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry). Such sickening displays horrifies most people who see it. Picture by Robert Tilford 2012.
Anatomical studies have documented that the body’s pain network—the spino-thalamic pathway—is established by 20 weeks gestation. Here are what some leading physicians have to say about this:
“At 20 weeks, the fetal brain has the full complement of brain cells present in adulthood, ready and waiting to receive pain signals from the body, and their electrical activity can be recorded by standard electroencephalography (EEG).”
— Dr. Paul Ranalli, neurologist, University of Toronto
An unborn baby at 20 weeks gestation “is fully capable of experiencing pain. … Without question, [abortion] is a dreadfully painful experience for any infant subjected to such a surgical procedure.”
— Robert J. White, M.D., PhD., professor of neurosurgery, Case Western University.
The science behind fetal pain is complex and evolving and far from settled but it has prompted action in the United States Senate, with Senator Graham taking the lead to introduce legislation that would try to protect unborn babies after 20 weeks from abortion, except in the case of incest or rape. On Fox News Sunday Graham said: “This is a debate worthy of a great democracy. When do you become you: at 20 weeks of a pregnancy? What is the proper role of the government in protecting that child?” (source: Lindsey Graham will lead charge in senate for abortion ban after 20 weeks http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/nov/3/lindsey-graham-will-lead-charge-in-senate-for-abor/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS#ixzz2jgA1e8Rp ).
See related video: Late term abortion patient shares her story http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4k427vn8xg