Nebraska lawmakers tackled but failed to advance a controversial measure on Friday that would make it illegal to assault or otherwise do bodily harm to an unborn child.

The question is whether you can do bodily harm to a human zygote.

Senator Mike Foley of Lincoln says yes and Omaha Senator Ernie Chambers says no. That's how the debate is breaking down on the floor of the Unicameral.

Chambers argued that a zygote does not have a body.

He said, "Where there is no body, there cannot be serious bodily injury."

Foley, sponsor of the bill, argued that human life begins at conception.

Under Foley's bill, intentionally causing serious injury to an unborn child would be a felony punishable by 20 years in prison.

Lawmakers adjourned for the weekend without voting whether to advance the measure from first-round debate.