British lawmakers voted in favor of a bill that would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to request help to end their lives, with 330 votes for and 275 against. The bill still needs to go through debates and be passed by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. It would follow in the footsteps of other countries like Canada and Australia, allowing mentally competent adults with less than six months to live to have assistance in dying. The bill also includes safeguards to prevent coercion or trickery.
The debate surrounding the bill has brought forth strong emotions from politicians, former prime ministers, religious leaders, judges, and doctors. Supporters argue that the law could alleviate unnecessary suffering and provide dignity, while opponents fear it could lead to vulnerable individuals being pressured to end their lives.
The bill has broad public support in the UK, with 73% backing the change. However, former Prime Ministers Theresa May, Boris Johnson, and Liz Truss, among others, have voiced their opposition. Despite concerns about erosion of safeguards over time, those in favor of the bill, like former Prime Minister David Cameron, argue that it will reduce human suffering and provide a choice for those who wish to die with dignity. The bill has not yet been passed and faces further debate and potential changes.
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