Pro-Life Atheists

[sdelsolray]

After you take away the religious and political aspects of the topic, is there still a potential moral dilemma?

I would say yes, to an extent. For instance, if we get to the point that we can know that the fetus can experience pain during the procedure after a certain point of development, should that not raise at least some ethical questions?

From an ethical perspective, the dilemma would begin and end with the mother.  I believe she should choose.  If, as you say, "we get to the point that we can know that the fetus can experience pain during the [abortion] procedure after a certain point of development", I'm quite confident that more humane procedures, using current medical technology, could be put in place to remove that pain and any associated awareness.  For example, a pain blocking or anesthesia drug could be injected into the fetus before the removal procedure begins.  As I understand it, such molecules would remain in the fetus and not transfer through the umbilical cord to the mother.

Of course, other pregnant women could make different choices, such as carrying the fetus to term, surrendering the born child (who becomes a "person" or "citizen" upon birth (depending on birth location and parental citizenship) under the US Constitution) for adoption, or raising the child herself, hopefully with the help of others.