British lawmakers are set to decide Friday whether to legalize assisted dying, a contentious proposal that would make the United Kingdom one of a small handful of nations to allow terminally ill people to end their lives.

Palliative care expert Nancy Preston said interest increased during the pandemic, when people witnessed the sorts of deaths they want to avoid for themselves.

Bill will allow people aged over 18 with less than six months to live the right to end their own life. The proposed legislation has divided Parliament, with MPs on both sides of the Commons seemingly equally split on whether they are for or against it.

The United Kingdom may become the next country to legalize assisted suicide. The legislation is sponsored by Kim Leadbeater, a British politician who is part of the Labour Party. The bill is expected to be read a second time in the House of Commons on Friday.

British lawmakers have started a historic debate on a proposal to help terminally ill adults end their lives in England and Wales, an issue that has divided Parliament and the country

The private members bill put forward by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater will be the subject of a five-hour debate starting at 9.30am on Friday

Under the proposed legislation, only those over 18 years old in England and Wales and who are expected to die within six months can request assisted dying. They must have the ment