In other words - if abortion is illegal and a woman gets pregnant, she's probably not going to be so stupid as to go around telling everyone about the pregnancy...

Sounds like you'll have to outlaw those home pregnancy tests.

...If abortion is outlawed and there are still millions of woman getting abortions (many people claim that outlawing abortion will not reduce its frequency at all), you can't very well throw millions of people in jail for years.

:DB tips his hat in respect:

Interesting conversation. I think you're the first Pro-Lifer I've talked to who has understood outlawing abortion won't be like waving a magic wand and just make the practice disappear.

I'd like to point out the disconnect between calling something "murder" and saying it requires a punishment akin to a speeding ticket, but if you're only doing that out of realism let's move on.

It would create a lot of problems and force a lot of difficult choices. But if life begins at conception, almost anything is worth it...

I have my doubts. There is a fundemental conflict between women's rights and fetal rights that just isn't going to go away.

Assume we're serious about doing this, even to the limited extent you suggest. We'd probably need to amend the Constitution, and not only to say a fetus is a person. We're also going to have to do something about the 13th admendment.

I mean... you are a person. You have rights, including the right to live. But if you need a kidney, and I'm a match, the government has no right or authority to take mine against my will.

This is true even if I agree to do it, even if I walk into a hospital with the intent to do it. The gov can't force me to risk life and limb in that manner, even to save your life.