Abortion rights foes have new tactic

DENVER, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- The latest effort to force a U.S. Supreme Court ban on abortion in the United States is focusing on granting "personhood" to fertilized eggs.

Anti-abortion activists said the new definition for embryos will provide them with the same legal protections as human beings, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.

Last week the Colorado Supreme Court cleared the way for advocates to collect signatures to place a personhood amendment on the state's 2008 ballot.

Anti-abortion advocates in Michigan, Mississippi and Montana are reported to be gearing up for similar signature drives.

In January, the Georgia General Assembly is to consider placing a constitution amendment on its 2008 ballot.

Abortion-rights groups consider the current wave of amendment campaigns a legitimate threat to legalized abortion, the newspaper said.

Experts told the Times even if personhood amendments pass, it could take years of legal challenges before the issue reaches the U.S. Supreme Court.