Britain took a historic but controversial step towards allowing euthanasia on Friday, June 20th when MPs backed legislation that would permit assisted suicide for terminally ill people.
Lawmakers in the lower House of Commons chamber voted 314 in favour to 291 against to advance the proposal to the upper House of Lords for further scrutiny and votes following four hours of debate.
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who has proposed the bill, said changing the law would “offer a compassionate and safe choice” for terminally ill people.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill would allow assisted suicide in England and Wales for adults with an incurable illness who have a life expectancy of fewer than six months.
They would have to be able to administer the life-ending substance themselves, and any patient’s wish to die would have to be signed off by two doctors and a panel of experts.
