The question about a context concerning 'even if'

the question about a context concerning 'even if'

The passage below is from ‘the Blank Slate’ by Steven Pinker.

http://evolbiol.ru/blankslate/blankslate.htm

Many of the others underlie other functions such as language, reasoning, planning, and social skills. Though no one knows to what extent they are genetically prepared for their computational roles, there are hints that the genetic influence is substantial. The divisions are established in the womb, even if the cortex is cut off from sensory input during development. As development proceeds, different sets of genes are activated in different regions.

In this passage I have a question about the sentence with underlined 'even if'.
Since 'even if' is a conjunction of concession, there should be a meaning of contrast between the main clause, 'The divisions are established in the womb' and the subordinate clause, 'the cortex is cut off from sensory input during development'. But I cannot read the opposing relationship between them. Rather, they seems to have a cause and effect relation to me. I mean, since the divisions are established in the womb, so the cortex is cut off (i.e. divided) from sensory input during development (i.e. during in the womb).

Can you give me a hint where I get it wrong?

Regards.