Fetal Pain

Dr. Ranalli is a neurologist at the University of Toronto, in Toronto, Canada. He is acting president of the de Veber Institute for Bioethics and Social Research. He gave a presentation called "Pain, Fetal Development, and Partial-birth Abortion" on June 27, 1997 to the House Judiciary Committee of the State of Ohio.

He has concluded that the spino-thalamic system is fully developed at about 12 to 14 weeks of gestation. This is the system that conveys pain signals from pain receptors throughout the body to the thalamus. He believes that the thalamus can feel pain, even though a connection between it and the cortex is missing.

To support his belief that a fetus in the second trimester can feel pain, he cites these signs:
A fetus will "withdraw from painful stimulation"
Two types of stress hormones which are detected in adults who are feeling pain are also found in a fetus when a blood sample is withdrawn.

Dr. Robert White gave testimony before the House Constitution Subcommittee.

He stated that the fetus at 20 weeks gestation, "is fully capable of experiencing pain. Without question, all of this is a dreadfully painful experience for any infant subjected to such a surgical procedure."