No Such Thing As Fetal Pain Dr. Stewart Darbyshire, pain expert argues that experience of pain is needed since pain is a learned response - and a fetus cannot have this experience so pain is not possible for a fetus.  Discussion in the British Parliament A Second article from Dr. Derbyshire and others when legislation was before the House.  European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology  And Reproductive Biology September 2000 A well researched and the most recent study which is used to assess the protocol for operating on a fetus as well as abortion.        Pain And Its Effects On The Human Neonate and Fetus - 1987 A frequently referred to paper, Anand,  although now somewhat out of date since much of the information has been the subject of more in depth research and we can be surer of the results,  A Comprehensive Discussion of Pain Another  major discussion by pain expert Dr. Stewart Derbyshire which covers the implications of current research findings,  Pain 101 A Personal outline A brief rundown on pain and how it is redefined in some circumstances. This was an answer to a question on a debate board.