A report on the effects of intrauterine needling of fetuses at 23 or more weeks of gestation has given rise to discussion about whether fetuses feel pain. This has important implications for professionals who provide abortion. Firstly, women considering having an abortion often seek reassurance that the fetus will not "suffer pain." Secondly, several parliamentarians who oppose abortion have demanded that the abortion law should be amended to take account of fetal perceptions of pain.
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