A new measure was passed by British lawmakers on Friday that grants individuals residing in England and Wales the right to assisted suicide if they have a terminal illness and have less than six months to live.
This legislation is part of a growing trend in the development of medically assisted dying in other countries.
The Terminally Ill Adults Bill was enacted by the House of Commons after a five-hour emotional debate, with 330 votes in favor and 275 against.
The measure requires enabling legislation that could modify certain details, and it may take up to two years to become law.
However, the referendum was widely regarded as a historic event, comparable to the decision to legalize abortion in 1967.
Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and 10 U.S. states, including Oregon and California, have all passed comparable legislation in recent years, in addition to Canada, the majority of Australia, New Zealand, Spain, and Austria.
Supporters asserted that the bill contains the most stringent safeguards in the world: The adult must be mentally competent, have a terminal diagnosis from two distinct physicians, have a life expectancy of less than six months, have the procedure approved by a high court judge, and administer the fatal medication themselves.
Advocates asserted that the measure would provide a choice to hundreds of terminally ill patients in England and Wales who succumb to painful and degrading deaths as a result of illnesses such as cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The bill’s opponents expressed concern that unscrupulous family members or others could induce the premature termination of the lives of certain elderly or disabled individuals.
Additionally, they suggested that the nation should concentrate on enhancing access to end-of-life palliative care, which would enable terminal patients to obtain the necessary medication to alleviate a significant amount of their distress.
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