To be fair, this is an oversimplification of the core issue behind the impass fueling the debate.

There is no way to objectively determine the exact point during pregnancy when a fetus transforms into a human being deserving of government protection against the taking of its life. For some, this is a question of religious doctrine. For others, a moral judgement call.

Where I live (Vermont) one can legally abort at will up to the moment of birth. I think it's fair to say this is one end of the moral spectrum. The other, the states working to prevent abortions under any circumstances. Most are somewhere in between.

Logically, regardless of where one draws the line, it's always a double-standard. A paradox. A problem with no solution. Until we all admit this fundamental truth and realize the pendulum swings more than one way, peaceful coexistence will be impossible. As imperfect as it is, throwing the question back to the states may be the best of a bad collection of possibilities.