Treatment Of Sentient Creatures;amdt. Line 2:

EDM number 636A1 in 1994-95, proposed by Harry Cohen on 01/03/1995.

leave out from 'calves' to end and add 'but disassociates itself from the opinion that the human fetus is sentient, at least before the 24th week of pregnancy; notes that animals ranging in complexity from the one-cell amoeba to the human respond by movement when stimulated; notes that such a response does not imply the awareness necessary for sentience; notes that sentience is a function of the cerebral cortex and that this part of the brain increases greatly in bulk and complexity after the 24th week of pregnancy and its development is not complete until some months after birth; notes that awareness of pain and of the emotions associated with being hurt is a function of consciousness which depends not only on the maturity of the brain but also on the ability to remember and understand information received through the senses; notes that the fetus may have some small degree of consciousness in the last weeks of pregnancy but that full development occurs after birth; notes that the Abortion Act recognises that the protection of the health of the woman has to be balanced against the risks of continuing pregnancy and abortion; and notes that the time limit of 24 weeks for abortion, except in the most unusual and adverse circumstances, meets the needs of the woman and shows a respect for the developing humanity of the fetus that is soundly based on anatomical and psychological observations.'.

This is a ammendment to 636.

This motion has been signed by a total of 24 MPs.