"A connection from the skin to the spinal cord and brain is a basic requirement for the fetus to feel or be aware of pain. Again, it is important to emphasise that, while such input to the spinal cord and brain is necessary for perception of acute surgical pain, it is not sufficient. Activity in the spinal cord, brainstem and subcortical midbrain structures are sufficient to generate reflexive behaviours and hormonal responses but are not sufficient to support pain awareness."