Can Fetus' feel pain?

Question

Simple.. yes or no, and state sources or how it's a fact.

If it's just a matter of your opinion, then i don't want to hear it. i want FACTS. Sources, etc.

My apologies. I don't mean to sound mean. I'm just trying to say i want actual facts/soures. Again, you have my apologies.

so when does their nervous system develop?

and, thank you for your time and work.

--savvy girl-- i'm not sure if you're aware or not.. but.. this is Yahoo! Answers... People ask questions.. other people answer... that's.. kinda the point..

Answer 1

At six weeks the fetus exihibits a startle reflex. This is a nurological response to the sense of touch, causing the embryo to pull away from things that touch it inutero, this includes the times that doctors have witnessed them jerking away from a needle or instrument.

At this same time they have a fully functional brain with detectable brainwaves.

http://ehd.org/science_imagegal_3.php

Thats the simplest funnest web site i have fort his sort of information. About half way down the page you will see a video for "response to touch".

Its a medical website for the study of human development of all ages, it has nothing to do with pro life or pro choice nonsense. Always get your information from those who are unbiased.

Answer 2

Nervous system begins to develope at 6 weeks when their heart is developed around 5 weeks. Any time after the nervous system is developing the fetus can feel pain. I don't have the "sources" I just read a lot of books on fetal developement during my pregnancies and they gave the same answers for that.

Answer 3

This website actually has a video and it actually shows an unborn baby that feels pain. Here are some facts but they are also on the link below:

PREBORN - 11 WEEKS AFTER CONCEPTION
HEART IS BEATING (SINCE 18-25 DAYS)
BRAIN WAVES HAVE BEEN RECORDED AT 40 DAYS
THE BABY SQUINTS, SWALLOWS, AND CAN MAKE A FIST
THE BABY HAS FINGERPRINTS AND CAN KICK
THE BABY IS SENSITIVE TO HEAT, TOUCH, LIGHT AND NOISE
THE BABY SUCKS HIS OR HER THUMB
ALL BODY SYSTEMS ARE WORKING
THE BABY WEIGHS ABOUT 1 OUNCE AND IS 2 1/2 TO 3 INCHES LONG
THE BABY COULD FIT COMFORTABLY IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND

Answer 4

Exactly as Ruth N said. A fetus is a developing person just like you & I once were so therefore he/she has a nervous system also. The only way a baby wouldn't is if he/she had that rare defect where the nervous system doesn't work properly, causin them to not be able to feel any sensation whatsoever....whether it be pain, hot, cold, a touch, etc.

And no this is not my opinion, it's common knowledge.

Answer 5

I belive they can. Here is my proof:


Pain in an adult, child, newborn or late-term fetus originates as an electrical signal in some of the body's pain receptors. This signal is sent via nerve pathways to the spinal column, then to the thalamus - an egg-shaped structure within the brain. Finally the signal is transferred to the cerebral cortex where it is sensed as pain. In a fetus, the pain receptors develop around 7 weeks after conception; the spino-thalamic system at about 13 weeks.


The first direct scientific study of pain in premature babies involved 18 preemies aged 25 to 45 weeks after conception. According to World Science:

"Brain scans taken while babies were having blood tests registered a surge of blood and oxygen in sensory areas in babies’ brains, according to the researchers, showing that the pain was processed in higher levels of the brain."

"A key brain area involved, called the somatosensory cortex, helps process sensations from the body surface and is also linked to pain sensation in adults, according to the researchers....

" 'Repeated painful procedures are a significant stressor and lead to increased sensitivity to other non-painful procedures,' said Maria Fitzgerald of University College. The researchers said the study points up the need for better pain-control methods for infants.

In a speech by then President Ronald Reagan to National Religious Broadcasters in 1984-JAN, he said "When the lives of the unborn are snuffed out, they often feel pain, pain that is long and agonizing."

Answer 6

Pain is a sensation in the nerves, interpreted by the brain. A baby's first brain wave is detectable at 4 or 5 weeks. At this point, they also have nerves.
That means they are capable of feeling pain.

Answer 7

if u want an answer to a question it might pay u to be a bit more polite. Your question is appears very hostile!

Answer 8

go here
http://www.cirp.org/library/pain/anand/
sounds medical. Aviod sites that have a religous aggenda. I don't think anyone can agree when pain perseption starts.
http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/health/feeds/hscout/2006/04/14/hscout532137.html

Answer 9

when their nervous system starts to develop, yes, they can.

Answer 10

Yes.

http://www.abortionfacts.com/online_books/love_them_both/why_cant_we_love_them_both_14.asp#By%208%20weeks?%20Show%20me!

http://www.gargaro.com/fetalpain.html

http://www.abort73.com/HTML/I-A-2a-pain.html