BISMARCK (AP) -- A North Dakota Senate committee is hearing arguments on legislation that tries to define when life begins.
Some lawmakers wonder if the measure would affect the ability of doctors to provide medical care for pregnant women.
Minot Rep. Dan Ruby's bill attempts to give human rights to a fertilized egg in every context of North Dakota law. The Senate Judiciary Committee is considering the proposal.
Ruby says if a fertilized egg is considered a person, it would make it much more difficult to argue for abortion rights.
Fargo Sen. Tom Fiebiger says the proposal will make it tougher for doctors to treat problems with a woman's pregnancy because the fetus and the mother have equal status under the law.
