That position is tied to the personhood movement, which seeks to legally define human life as beginning at fertilization — rather than when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. A personhood law would effectively halt all abortions and could also make some forms of birth control illegal.

Critics also say such laws could outlaw in vitro fertilization, because several embryos are created in the process and only a few are used.

"Justice Bradley believes it is the role of the legislature to make the law and the role of a justice to apply it. Due to the potential for this issue to come in front of the state Supreme Court, it would be improper for Justice Bradley to give an opinion at this time," said Bradley spokeswoman Madison Wiberg, in response to questions including whether she supports personhood today and whether she opposes abortion in all cases.