CARSON CITY — Abortion opponents said Tuesday the intention was good, but they will oppose a proposed ballot measure that seeks to define a person and override Nevada's abortion laws.

Leaders of Nevada Life, Nevada Eagle Forum, Nevada Families and the Independent American Party said that while the Nevada Personhood initiative may have been filed with good intent, it is vague and won't end abortion because of existing federal law.

"We feel it's counterproductive," said Janine Hansen, president of Nevada Eagle Forum.

Hansen said anti-abortion advocates have made strides through public education and outreach to curb the number of abortions, and fear the initiative would invite interpretation by the courts.

"When something is vague and undefined ... we can anticipate that it will be enjoined in the courts, and the courts will decide what it means," she said.

"It will end up giving unlimited power to the courts to perpetuate and expand the disastrous effects of Roe v. Wade and will interfere further with any legislative efforts to stop abortion," the groups' statement said.

The Nevada "personhood" initiative, filed by conservative Las Vegas activist Richard Ziser, seeks to define a person and extend due process rights to "everyone possessing a human genome" from the beginning of biological development through end of life.

Ziser, who successfully pushed a constitutional amendment earlier this decade defining marriage in Nevada as between a man and woman, did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union last week filed a legal challenge to the petition's description of effect in state district court in Carson City.