Michael A. Clarke: Actually, no evidence to show fetus can feel pain

Re “How will God punish Obama?” (Letters, Jan. 21): My first reaction to the letter was religious one: “Judge not lest you be judged.” Unfortunately, the letter writer was apparently writing an anti-abortion, pro-birth polemic in support of the so-called “Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.” The writer states, “Scientific evidence strongly indicated that the fetus can feel ... pain ... when brutally aborted.”

Unfortunately for the writer, there is absolutely no scientific, medical, obstetric or neurological evidence to support the “pain claim.” The concept of fetal pain, described many years ago by the renowned medical authority, President Ronald Reagan, has no basis in fact. Made up by a gaggle of Republicans, tea partiers and religious zealots, the claim that blobs of developing fetal tissue are painfully aware of being aborted is merely yet another effort to prevent women from controlling their reproductive lives.

As a retired health-care provider with a background in scientific research, I find it disturbing when legislators and letter writers support policies not based on proven facts, but on misinformed thinking. It is even more alarming when some invoke a “terrifying God” in support of their opinions.

This story was originally published January 23, 2015 at 11:09 AM with the headline "Michael A. Clarke: Actually, no evidence to show fetus can feel pain."