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.

Laws around assisted dying are 'very likely’ to make their way to Ireland, according to a spokesperson for an advocacy group.

After an impassioned debate, members of Parliament approved the so-called assisted dying bill by a vote of 330 to 275.

British lawmakers have voted to allow assisted dying, a move set to make the UK one of a small handful of countries to allow terminally ill people to end their lives.

The bill passes the first stage in the Commons but will be followed by months of parliamentary activity before it becomes a law.

United Kingdom lawmakers have passed a bill that, if finalized, will legalize assisted suicide in England and Wales under strict circumstances The bill allows for medical assistance in dying for any

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

STORY: Britain's parliament voted in favor of a new bill to legalize assisted dying on Friday ()."The ayes to the right, 330, the noes to the left, 275. The ayes have it, the ayes have it, unlock."The vote opens the way for months of further debate over an issue that has sparked a national conversation over dignity in death and end-of-life care.

The law, whose passage isn't a sure thing, would legalize "assisted dying" in England and Wales for patients with six months or less to live.

The bill, modeled after Oregon’s law, would apply to terminally ill patients and could usher in one of the most dramatic social changes Britain has seen in years.