Chapter 24, Problem 1SA

Summary Introduction

To review:

Why being born without the ability to feel pain is a curse rather than a blessing.

Introduction:

Pain is felt when we injure or damage any part of our body.

Explanation of Solution

When we injure ourselves, we feel pain. Pain is the body's way of indicating that a situation is dangerous, or may cause damage to the body. It is important for us to feel pain, to know when to avoid dangerous objects or situations. This helps to prevent life-threatening injuries, in the long run.

Without pain, one would be unaware of an injury, whether it is big or small. Such a condition is known as ‘heritable sensory autonomic neuropathy’, and can be very dangerous, because a person affected by it would not know to avoid situations that cause injury.

Conclusion

Without pain, the body will not be able to recognize an injury, and protect itself or remove itself from a dangerous object or situation. Pain serves a very important purpose. This is why being born without the ability to feel pain is a curse rather than a blessing.