Fetal Pain

EDM number 1551 in 1993-94, proposed by Ann Winterton on 19/07/1994.

That this House notes repeated scientific reports on fetal sentience beginning with ID Hogg, published in 1941 in the Journal of Comparative Neurology; notes this demonstrated avoidance responses occur at five to six weeks gestation when the fetus is touched around the mouth and that this progresses to an almost complete range of responses at 12 weeks; notes that Professor Sir William Lilley, the pioneer of fetal medicine, persistently reported that the fetal response to pain is the same as that of any human or, indeed, a dog, cat or rat; notes that a report from the Council for Science and Society in 1984 called for the experimental use of human embryos up to six weeks after conception, explaining the limit on the grounds of the embryo's right 'not to feel pain' which they admitted was possible at six weeks; notes the Lancet report of 9th July 1994, stating 'the fetus mounts a hormonal stress response to invasive procedures ... raising the possibility that the fetus feels pain in utero and may benefit from anaesthesia'; notes the response that the fetus could be given anaesthesia which could endanger the mother; calls on the Secretary of State to ensure that all women undergoing abortion are properly informed on fetal sentience and potential anaesthetic dangers; and calls for changes to the Abortion Act to give protection to the human fetus which scientific evidence clearly indicates does feel pain yet has less protection than laboratory animals.

This motion has been signed by a total of 48 MPs, 2 of these signatures have been withdrawn.