Schusterman actually does explain how unwinding came about, in Connor's first meeting with the Admiral. (see page 223) In summary, the Heartland War was being fought over the conflict of Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice (the American military was involved as well, though as more of a neutral party). Things were already being turned upside-down, morals being twisted and disregarded with "...People were murdering abortion doctors to protect the right to life, while on the other side, people were getting pregnant just to sell their fetal tissue." (223)
The idea of unwinding probably didn't sound near as crazy as it does to us, because madness was already ensuing. When they made the Bill of Life, I thought it was interesting how the Admiral said it was just a joke in the beginning, until a scientist perfected the use of neurografting (the technique of allowing every part of a donor to be used in a transplant).
"With the war getting worse, we brokered a peace by bringing both sides to the table. Then we proposed the idea of unwinding, which would terminate unwanteds without actually ending their lives, We thought it would shock both sides into seeing reason - that they would stare at each other across the table and someone would blink. But nobdy blinked. . . Everone was so happy to end the war, no one cared about the consequences." (224)
I think it's very interesting to see that initially the idea of unwinding was to be so ridiculous and extreme that both sides would realize how foolish they were acting. But it didn't, and unwinding came about. So you see, there couldn't have been an outrage at the idea of this process, becaue that would have meant that the war needed to continue.
You are probably correct, since today we are not in a terrible war between the Pro-Lifes and Pro-Choices, there would be an uproar at the idea of something so immoral and obscure.
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