[Morgana]

Now that's what I'm talking about.

[Army Air Corps]

How long before a Federal Judge strikes it down?

[EternalVigilance]

The legislation is based on the premise that fetuses can feel pain starting around 20 weeks

I wonder what folks would think of the morality and constitutionality of legislation that said it was okay to kill them as long as they didn't feel any pain, or as long as their murder was committed before Christmas?

[Politicalkiddo]

Good job!

[867V309]

The legislation is based on the premise that fetuses can feel pain starting around 20 weeks

So, if I became insensate, it would be OK to rip my body apart?

[exDemMom]

The legislation is based on the premise that fetuses can feel pain starting around 20 weeks, a concept which is heavily debated.

Indeed, it should be debated. The nervous system--which processes pain and awareness--is one of the first bodily systems to develop, which first starts forming around 2-3 weeks after conception, and which is present in a rudimentary functional form (recognizable as a brain and nerves) by 5 weeks after conception. Since all bodily systems function as soon as the specific cells that form them appear, there is no reason to think that the ability to feel pain is not present until 20 weeks in, some 15-18 weeks after the nervous system develops. The ability to feel pain and process information is intrinsic to the nervous system. There is no magic switch that flips on at 20 weeks, conferring an ability that did not previously exist. We are biological organisms, not electrical devices.

[TomasUSMC]

Amen