"The human fetus possesses the ability to experience pain from twenty weeks of gestation, if not earlier," testified Dr. Sunny Anand, Director of the Pain Neurobiology Laboratory at Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute, during one of the partial-birth abortion trials on April 15, 2004. "The pain perceived by a fetus," he said, "is possibly more intense than that perceived by term newborns or older children."

Dr. Anand continued, "The highest density of pain receptors per square inch of skin in human development occurs in utero from 20 to 30 weeks gestation. . . . the pain inhibitory mechanisms (fibers which dampen and modulate the experience of pain) do not begin to develop until 32 to 34 weeks of gestation. Thus, a fetus at 20 to 32 weeks of gestation would experience a much more intense pain than older infants or children or adults, when these age groups are subjected to similar types of injury or handling."

Abortionists, however, have neglected to inform pregnant women about this fact. This is contrary to the patient's right to know what takes place during the procedure and how it will affect the fetus. Speaking of the partial birth abortion procedure, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) pointed out, "We don't even allow livestock to be treated that way in this country."

This May, Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kans.) and Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) introduced the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act into the Senate and the House (S. 2466 and H.R. 4420). This bill requires that pregnant women seeking an abortion be informed that the fetus will undergo
pain while it is being killed. The abortionist would be required to give pregnant women brochures describing the fetus's responsive ability and how administering an anesthetic directly to the fetus can reduce the pain. She then has the option to administer the anesthetic.

It is only logical, since patients are fully informed of the process and effects of other medical procedures, that women be fully informed about abortion as well. Further, thinking about the pain of her unborn child would naturally cause a woman to think twice about her decision.
Women have the right to know what happens when they choose to abort the fetus. Even so-called women's rights advocates should support the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act.