The UK parliament is preparing to vote on whether terminally ill adults in England and Wales can request assistance to end their life. The potential social change this bill could herald has seen commentators compare it to the legalisation of abortion, the abolition of the death penalty, and the introduction of same-sex marriage. But despite strong public support, and the growing number of countries sanctioning assisted dying in some form, ethical questions mean it remains a divisive and emotionally charged issue. On today’s episode, Katya is joined by the BBC's global health correspondent Dominic Hughes. They look at the proposed UK legislation, and discuss how it compares to existing laws on assisted dying throughout the world. The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. Producers: Laurie Kalus and Alix Pickles Sound engineer: Mike Regaard Assistant editors: Sergi Forcada Freixas and Alice Aylett Roberts Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson
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Hello, I'm Katja Adler from the BBC World Service.
This is the global story.
Parliament in the United Kingdom is preparing to vote on whether terminally ill adults in England and Wales can get help legally to end their lives fraught with ethical dilemmas.
So called assisted dying has long proved a divisive topic in the uk.
It's still very divisive.
Now the dramatic social change that new legislation could bring about is being compared to the legalization of abortion at the time, the abolition of the death penalty and the introduction of same sex marriage around the world.
It's already legal in some form in a growing number of nations.
What are the experiences there?
With me today is Dominic Hughes, the BBC's global health correspondent.
Hello, Dominic.
Hi there, Katja.
So this discussion of assisted dying, it's become massive in the UK at the moment, hasn't it?
I mean, it's really, it's a huge debate politically, but.
But also socially.
Yeah, it's almost like one of the last big liberal debates to be had in the UK.
We've seen big discussions over the last 40 years about things like equalities legislation, the death penalty, abortion, divorce, gay marriage.