Fetuses/even newborns can't feel pain??

[HaleyB]

Newborns do feel "pain" or at least the respond the same way everyone else does with a raise in blood pressure and heart rate. This comes from studies on circumcision without pain control. They may not be able to withdraw from pain as an adult would, but anyone that has held a new born knows they feel all sorts of things. At some stages the fetus may not have a mature enough nerve system to ''feel' pain or react to it, but who knows when that point is? No one, and it varies from fetus to fetus too.

No matter what side of the life/choice debate you fall on (or if you sit squarely on the fence) it is ignorant and wrong to put false information out there. Both sides are guilty of this and it really is not helpful. That article was not good journalism.

 

[crcormier]

Actually, reading the article, the doctor was saying that only fetuses can't feel pain, that he/she would need to be born to feel pain. I don't read him claiming that newborns couldn't feel pain, the pro-life group claim he says that. I don't see how this is bad journalism, he presents both sides' opinions.

 

[crazee4mickey]

I have never seen a newborn in the nursery who didn't cry at the heel stick. I believe there is an "agenda".

That is exactly what I was thinking...all babies "howl" when their heel gets pricked for that one type of test and isn't it done a day or two after they are born?

 

[mickeyfan2]

I believe that they can feel pain, but the body gives them temporary mechanism to "survive" the birth. I guess the problem is it is very dangerous to use anesthesia on infants so they only use it when absolutely needed.

 

[6_Time_Momma]

Actually, reading the article, the doctor was saying that only fetuses can't feel pain, that he/she would need to be born to feel pain. I don't read him claiming that newborns couldn't feel pain, the pro-life group claim he says that. I don't see how this is bad journalism, he presents both sides' opinions.

It says you need representational memory. A newborn a few minutes old isn't going to have "representational" memory, is it? Or even a few days old?

 

[diznygirl]

"He redefines pain such that not even a newborn could experience pain in the way he defines it, and then concludes that fetuses can't experience pain and that's absurd," Christensen said.

Of course pain is experienced the way WE define it. I guess since he says they don't know the word for pain, they don't realize that is what they are experiencing? That's symantics - that's not science.

 

[AMcaptured]

Babies don't feel pain??? They come out crying, don't they? Of course they feel pain, they are human after all.

I wonder how much money was wasted on this.....Crazy

AM

 

[Kimberly]

If fetuses/newborns cannot feel pain... then why do we still slap their rears to make sure that they cry after birth?

That is probably the most obsurd thing I've ever heard.

 

[lclark0621]

Maybe I missed it....

But I did not see where any medical professional or scientist said newborns cant feel pain.

The doctors were not talking about newborns. The OP put "newborn" in the title, the director of congressional affairs for the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C. said:

"He redefines pain such that not even a newborn could experience pain in the way he defines it, and then concludes that fetuses can't experience pain and that's absurd," Christensen said.

But that does not mean the people who conducted the research think newborns cant feel pain. No one said that at all.

 

[yeartolate]

Without a doubt newborns feel pain.


I would be curious from a scientific POV when a fetus would gain the physical ability with brain structure and general innervation to feel pain.

 

[DawnCt1]

Without a doubt newborns feel pain.


I would be curious from a scientific POV when a fetus would gain the physical ability with brain structure and general innervation to feel pain.

I would guess it would be certainly weeks prior to birth. Preemies feel pain.

 

[jgmklmhem]

Just making sure I am not lsoing it....but if I remember correctly there is really no difference from the hour before birth to the hour after birth other than obvious respiration is different and now the baby has to be fed externally versus the umbilical cord. No neurological functions change in those two hours. Nothing about the birthing process changes the babies brain other than where respiration is coming from. I wouldn't think breathing different and having the cord cut automatically allow for a baby to feel pain.

 

[PaulaSue]

I don't believe that at all.

All 3 of my DDs were born tongue-tied and had their surgery soon after. I was there for each's surgery and I saw them cry and the blood. They also all cried for the, 24 hours after born, shot

 

[goofygirl]

I do not find it hard to believe that fetuses do not feel pain. You need a developed brain to feel pain.

Now, I don't plan to debate the "A" issue.....

Now, I find THAT hard to believe!

 

[DawnCt1]

I do not find it hard to believe that fetuses do not feel pain. You need a developed brain to feel pain.




Now, I find THAT hard to believe!

Do cats feel pain?? Just checking.

 

[goofygirl]

Do cats feel pain?? Just checking.

umm, yeah....and your point is...??

 

[DawnCt1]

umm, yeah....and your point is...??

If the brain development of a cat is sufficient enough to allow it to feel pain, I have no doubt that a fetus can feel pain. Somehow I get the feeling that your empathy lies more with the cat.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Absurd....

Just completely Absurd...

To say that a baby does not feel pain is to say that a baby does not 'feel'.

Does a baby not feel your warm caress.
Does a baby not feel the mothers breast as it settles in to breast feed.
Does the baby not 'sense', and discriminate, the sound of the mothers voice and the sound of her heartbeat?
How many studies have absolutely PROVEN the power of the warm human touch, and how absolutely important, and even life saving, it can be, even with the tiniest of preemies, warding off 'failure to thrive'.

This article is absolutely ABSURD.

 

[goofygirl]

If the brain development of a cat is sufficient enough to allow it to feel pain, I have no doubt that a fetus can feel pain. Somehow I get the feeling that your empathy lies more with the cat.

I'll tell you who I have empathy for. I have empathy for well meaning scientists who come under attack and get accused of pushing some kind of agenda.

 

[dcentity2000]

It worries me how many people are clinging on to their beliefs for no reason other than emotion. Research shows that foetuses don't feel pain. Live with it. It may be right, it may be wrong - who truly knows? In time, further research may find evidence to the contrary and the tables will be turned again.

The most only course of action is to inform oneself as to the limited facts we now have.



Rich::