These posts on the S.D. law are thoughtful and interesting. They prove, to me, that this issue is unresolvable. Those who would consider abortions a legitimate option in a pregnancy have defensible and thoughtful arguments as do those who would never consider such an option. Every expert and every "moral" authority that can be trotted out has a counterpart in the other arena.

So, we don't agree about this, never will, and people should be allowed to make up their own mind and pursue their own course of action, or non-action. It is a matter of personal conscience.

What we don't agree on is when a "person" begins. I don't think we can ever know. All logical progressions deteriorate as we count backwards. At conception? A few days later? In the 26th week? At birth? 18 years after birth? Some even argue for prior to conception, or at least the "potential" for being a person. Any line drawn is arbitrary. So, we arbitrarily pick a line that is certainly a compromise but at least gives us a legal set point. It's at 26 weeks. Some think that's too early, some too late. Let's leave it at that.