France, April 22 -- A French parliamentary commissionon Monday began the long task of examining proposals to be included in a controversial bill backed by French President Emmanuel Macron that would allow citizens to apply for assisted dying.

The initiative is the brainchild of Health Minister Catherine Vautrin, who said a commission-approved text would be submitted to the full parliament on 27 May. A final vote is unlikely before2025.

Macron said last month that France needed the law. "There are situations you cannot humanely accept.The goal is to reconcile the autonomy of the individual with the solidarity of the nation," he added.

However, he says he only wants people suffering incurable illnesses and intense physical or psychologic...