Photo credit: Reuters
Britain’s parliament backed a new bill to allow assisted dying on Friday, kicking off months of wrangling over a possible legal change that has sparked a national conversation about dignity in death and end-of-life.
Reuters reports that in an initial approval of the bill, 330 lawmakers voted in favour with 275 against the “Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life)” bill, which would provide for mentally competent, terminally ill adults in England and Wales who doctors assess to have six months or less to live right to choose to end their lives with medical help.
It is a historic step towards a change in the law that could see Britain follow other countries such as Australia, Canada, and some US states in launching what could be one of its biggest social reforms in a generation.
However, the bill could still be altered or voted down as it passes through Britain’s two legislative houses.
