British lawmakers give initial approval to a bill to allow terminally ill adults to end their lives

British lawmakers have given initial approval to a bill that would help terminally ill adults end their lives in England and Wales. The so-called assisted dying bill was approved on Friday by a vote of 330 to 275 after an impassioned Parliamentary debate. 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. Supporters say the law will provide dignity to the dying and prevent unnecessary suffering. Opponents argue that vulnerable people could be coerced to end their lives and that some elderly or disabled people would opt for death so they don’t become a burden.