British MPs advance contentious bill to legalize assisted dying

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In a historic move, British lawmakers voted to advance a bill that would allow some terminally ill patients in England and Wales the right to end their lives through assisted dying. The House of Commons approved the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which would grant this option to those with a life expectancy of six months or less. The bill will now undergo further debate and scrutiny before potentially becoming law. Currently, assisted suicide is illegal in Britain, with potential prison sentences for those who assist in the process. This issue was brought to the forefront by broadcaster Esther Rantzen, who announced her intentions to seek assisted dying if her cancer treatment failed. Advocacy group Dignity in Dying praised the bill’s progress, while critics expressed concerns about potential coercion and the impact on end-of-life care funding. This marks a significant shift in attitudes since a similar bill was defeated in 2015, and reflects changing views on medically-supported death globally.

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