fetuses feel pain after 20 weeks

[JohnS]

Doctor testifies in abortion case that fetuses feel pain after 20 weeks

By Kevin O'Hanlon, Associated Press, 4/6/2004

LINCOLN, Neb. -- A type of abortion banned under a new federal law would cause ''severe and excruciating'' pain to 20-week-old fetuses, a medical expert on pain testified Tuesday.

''I believe the fetus is conscious,'' said Dr. Kanwaljeet ''Sonny'' Anand, a pediatrician at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He took the stand as a government witness in a trial challenging the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act.

The act, which was signed by President Bush in November, has not been enforced because judges in Lincoln, Neb., New York and San Francisco agreed to hear evidence in three simultaneous, non-jury trials on whether the ban violates the Constitution.

Anand said fetuses show increased heart rate, blood flow and hormone levels in response to pain.

''The physiological responses have been very clearly studied,'' he said. ''The fetus cannot talk ... so this is the best evidence we can get.''

The Bush administration has argued that the procedure, referred to by opponents as ''partial-birth abortion,'' is ''inhumane and gruesome'' and causes the fetus to suffer pain.

During the procedure, which doctors call ''intact dilation and extraction'' or D&X, a fetus is partially removed from the womb and its skull is punctured. It is generally performed in the second trimester.

Abortion rights advocates argue that it is sometimes the safest procedure for women, and that the law will endanger almost all second-trimester abortions, or 10 percent of the nation's 1.3 million annual abortions.

The law would be the first substantial limitation on abortion since the Supreme Court legalized it 31 years ago in the landmark case Roe v. Wade.

Challenges to the ban were filed by several doctors being represented by the Center for Reproductive Rights, the National Abortion Federation and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The issue is expected to reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

http://www.boston.com/yourlife/health/othe...after_20_weeks/

[Guest LCPGUY]

This is just horrible! Abortion is horrible!

I'm glad for the new law but just wonder how long it will be until some liberal judge(s) invalidates it?

It seems that nowadays the courts are both deleting and making laws and bypassing congress and the President, Governors and the people when they vote for initiatives the courts don't like.

I can't stand to even think of the horror these babies go through.

"Come soon Lord Jesus"

John

[artsylady]

If you're ever debating with a pro-choicer, they'll tell you that it's a woman's body and she has a right to do with it what she wants.

Then ask "Should she be legally allowed to shoot heroine then?" Or, "should a pregnant woman be allowed to shoot heroine? It's her body, right?"

I think the word 'fetus' is ridiculous too. The pro-choicers love that word. They call it a fetus if they want to abort it, but if you're keeping it, they call it a baby. Ever heard a mom-to-be say "The fetus is kicking me"? It would sound so weird - so harsh or distant, wouldn't it?

The so-called 'fetus' has a different dna. Different dna, different person.

I am ranting now. But am not surprised the BABY feels pain while being murdered.

[JohnS]

Go on and rant, sister!

[SevenofNine]

Rackkkk itt Art lady

It is different person do you think NAG Gang want hear that NOOOOO

They just want right to choose

YEAH TO MURDER

[artsylady]

Okay, since you've all given me the go-ahead.. lol

I also hate it when they say it's about women's rights. What if the baby is a girl? What rights does she have?

Many doctors have quit performing abortiomns since new technology shows exactly how developed a baby at the time of conception. We didn't have this technology when abortion was first made legal, so people just didn't know how advanced the baby actually was - functioning liver, kidney, formation of limbs, functioning brain, ability to feel pain!!!

In the Laci Peterson case, her husband is being charged with double homicide! Why did they suddenly decide that her unborn baby is actually a baby???

Because the MAN chose to murder? The mother didn't have a CHOICE in the matter? I'm surprised no abortion rights activists aren't jumping up and down shouting, "But it's not a baby! He should be charged with only ONE count of murder, not two!" They're pretty quiet on this one, aren't they?

I've also heard the very lame argument that a the 'fetus' isn't 'viable' and can't sustain life on its own without the mother... Yet the same holds true about a newborn baby. A newborn can't sustain it's life without help from the mother or another caregiver!

I can't beleive something as barbaric as abortion is still legal in these modern times, despite the fact that we have all of this knowledge that human life is forming in the womb.

I once heard from a friend the true story of one of her friends. The young girl went and had an abortion but later still exhibited signs of a pregnancy. Sure enough, she was still pregant, but it was too late, according to Canadian law to have an abortion. So, she carried the murdered babies twin and kept it. Imagine this child knowing that her mother murdered her twin and would have done the same to that child if the mother had known there was another life growing in her? Imagine the guilt of the mother. Horrendous, isn't it?

It's supposed to be some quick-fix, but produces many emotional and physical problems - very well documented of course, but no one cares about that.

[SevenofNine]

OHH That is grossss

Not cool

Can you imagine carry the dead twin in your body

OH MAN that totally gross

[Guest LCPGUY]

Thanx for posting that message Jen.

This word needs to ring out loud and clear for all to hear!

Good on yuh

Bro John

[papasangel]

A baby (note I abhor calling a baby a fetus) can feel pain well before 20 weeks. A baby will exhibit increased responses to stimulation even at 8 weeks. So no one can convince me that there is no pain in abortion.

As to a womans choice,

If you decide to have intercourse without protection, you made a choice. Any excuse to terminate life once created is no excuse at all. Your choice was when you lay with a man. Period.

Men you make your choice when you choose to lay with a woman who is unprotected. When life ensues from that union your choice is made. You have a responsibility to that child and should live up to that responsibility.

I do not believe in abortion. It is just a fancy word for murder. A doctor or health care provider who enables a woman to terminate her pregnacy is nothing short of a murder or an accomplace to murder. When you stand before the Throne of Judgement remember you have to explain to our Father why you murdered one of His children.