In a major policy shift, lawmakers in the United Kingdom voted 314–291 to advance the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which would legalize assisted suicide for adults in England and Wales diagnosed with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of six months or less.
The legislation removes the previous requirement for a judge's approval and instead calls for review by two doctors and a panel including a social worker, psychiatrist, and legal expert.
The bill now moves to the House of Lords for further consideration. If implemented, the new policy could take effect by 2029. Opponents of the bill have raised concerns about the risk of coercion and the broader implications for people with disabilities and limited access to care.
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