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.

British lawmakers gave approval to an assisted dying bill that many say could turn out like Canada's medical assistance in dying program, for better or for worse.

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