On the 20th, the UK House of Commons voted to pass a bill legalizing euthanasia.
314 MPs voted in favor, 291 opposed. The bill has now been submitted to the House of Lords for review, where further amendments may be made.
The bill proposes that adults in England and Wales who are mentally competent, terminally ill, and have less than six months to live will have the right to choose to end their own lives, and allows medical staff to assist them in dying.
In the original proposal, euthanasia required court approval, but now the requirement is for a decision by an expert panel consisting of a social worker, a senior legal professional, and a psychiatrist.
Polls show that most Britons support assisted dying, believing it will bring dignity and compassion to those suffering.
However, opponents argue that patients may feel they should end their lives due to fear of becoming a burden to their families and society.
Since 2015, euthanasia laws have come into effect in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, and Austria.