Study ignites abortion debate in Texas

09:31 AM CDT on Thursday, August 25, 2005

By LEE MCGUIRE / KVUE News

It's an issue that's divided the country. Now it's drawing even more debate.

It all centers around a new study on whether unborn babies can feel pain.

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The Journal of the American Medical Association published a study Tuesday that found fetuses cannot feel pain until about week 30 of pregnancy. That is playing right into the abortion debate, here in Texas.

The report is really a compilation of research already on the books -- a study of years of studies, about pregnancy and how fetuses react to stimulation. It found that because the cerebral cortex doesn't develop until the 28th week of pregnancy, before the third trimester, fetuses don't feel pain.

"You know, I think this latest report to come out is from one of the most respected medical journals in the whole country," said Sara Wheat, who is with NARAL Pro-Choice Texas. "We would hope that all the groups that work on this issue would base any action or goal on the latest medical research and the latest science."

Wheat says the study should deflate the arguments of those in Congress who want to require doctors to tell women seeking abortions, that the unborn fetus might feel pain during the procedure. But Joe Pojman with the Texas Alliance for Life says, in fact, the study might do exactly the opposite.

"In this case we're saying that women ought to have the right to know that there's a serious chance that the child may feel pain during the abortion procedure," Pojman said.

He says that two of the study's lead authors are biased: one once worked for a pro-choice group, and another runs a clinic that provides abortions.

"I think that this study is quite possibly very biased, and I don't think it's terribly reliable," Pojman said.

The Journal of the American Medical Association stands by the study, calling it a reflection of the latest science and research, regardless of politics.