By Michael D. Carroll
Breaking News Editor
British lawmakers gave initial approval Friday to a bill to help terminally ill adults end their lives in England and Wales.
After an impassioned and debate, members of Parliament approved the so-called assisted dying bill.
The vote signals lawmakers' approval in principle for the bill and sends it on to further scrutiny in Parliament. Similar legislation failed to pass that important first test in 2015.
The vote came after hours of debate — emotional at times — that touched on issues of ethics, grief, the law, faith, crime and money. Hundreds of people on both sides of the issue gathered outside Parliament.
Speeches from supporters included heart-wrenching stories about constituents and family members who suffered in the final months of their lives and dying people who committed suicide in secret because it is currently a crime for anyone to provide assistance.
Those opposed spoke of the danger that vulnerable, elderly and disabled people could be coerced into opting for assisted dying to save money or relieve the burden on family members. Others called for the improvement of palliative care to ease suffering as an alternative.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
English (US) ·