'It's not my ethics': Terminally ill doctor on Mass. right to die debate

BOSTON — The debate over assisted suicide in Massachusetts has grown heated as both sides prepare to testify next week on a bill that would allow terminally ill adults to request a life-ending prescription from their doctor.

A terminally ill doctor says he knows both sides of the issue personally.

"I took care of people in intensive care units. I took care of people who were dying," said retired internist doctor Roger Kligler. "I looked at the pathology report myself, and I said I'm not happy with the way this looks."

Kligler was diagnosed with prostate cancer, treated it and beat it, only for it to come back a few years later. The diagnosis then was terminal.

MORE: Falmouth doctor sues for right to die

"People always say, 'why me?' And my feeling has always been, 'why not me?' I’m human. I know something is going to happen sometime or another," said Kligler.

The husband, father and grandfather began to think about how he wanted to die and has now become a proponent of the End of Life Act in Massacusetts, supported by non-profit compassion and choices. It would allow qualifying terminally ill adults with six months or less to live the ability to request a life-ending prescription from their doctor.

"If someone says I'm really suffering, I want to die. I understand what this means, that should be okay, too," said Kligler.

It’s a controversial topic in the bay state. A similar bill was voted down in a statewide referendum in 2012, 51 to 49 percent. Opponents say the bill would open the door for abuse, pressure from families or caregivers, or the denial of expensive medical care.

"It's not my ethics that I have to worry about. It's the person's and if I can follow them, I should be supporting them. If I can't follow them, I should get someone who can support them," said Kligler.

Kligler and Compassion and Choices have also filed a lawsuit in Suffolk Superior Court asking the court to affirm the right to medical aid in dying.

MORE: Attorney suing NFL, Patriots over Hernandez's 'severe' case of CTE

Cox Media Group