UK House of Commons passes assisted dying bill for terminally ill adults

The House of Commons has passed a bill to legalize assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales. The vote, with 330 in favor and 275 against, marks a significant shift in social policy, the first since the legalization of abortion in the 1960s. Under the bill, terminally ill adults with a life expectancy of six months or less can seek assistance to end their lives, pending approval from two doctors and a High Court judge. The bill will undergo further scrutiny, with over 200 amendments already proposed. Supporters of the bill view it as a step towards dignity in end-of-life choices, while opponents express concerns about safeguards. The bill now moves to the committee stage for additional amendments and votes in both the Commons and the House of Lords.