The RCOG have consistently denied that fetuses can feel pain earlier than 24 weeks but their evidence to the committee was challenged last week by Channel 4's Dispatches programme which highlighted opposing views, including those of a leading academic and clinician, KJ Anand, Professor of Pediatrics, Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Neurobiology at the University of Arkansas.
However, in a statement defending their evidence, the RCOG has said: "The RCOG keeps a watching brief on new scientific developments and advancements in fetal medicine, and continues to examine emerging evidence from the international scientific community about fetal awareness and fetal pain.
"We are unaware of the work of Dr Anand or any other work that contradicts the basic findings of the review. Perhaps Dr Anand could direct us to the work he is referring to."
Dr Saunders said: "Anand is a world authority on neonatal pain and in fact Seminars in Perinatology published a major review paper by him on fetal pain just this month. His work is widely available in peer-reviewed journals and via on-line search engines such as 'PubMed', used by any serious researchers. In fact, if you type in 'anand fetal pain' his paper comes top of the list!"
"Anand has authored or jointly authored 18 papers published in peer-reviewed journals this year alone. We are concerned that the College seems unaware of his work and has not made more of an effort to find out about it before making its public statement.
"For the RCOG to report the studies of researchers who share their position, whilst ignoring research published by other leading researchers with contrary views, is at the very least misleading."
He called on the President of the College to issue a full statement this week for the Science and Technology Committee clarifying the College's view. Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo will be giving evidence to the Select Committee tomorrow quoting the RCOG guidance.
"It is therefore essential that the College urgently clarifies its position," concluded Dr Saunders.
