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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Ruth Penrose said it could prevent others going through what Debbie Purdy, from Bradford, did with her primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) before she died in 2014. Ms Penr