Anesthesiologists should be concerned about the debate on euthanasia for 2 reasons: 1) if euthanasia is legalized, anesthesiologists will occupy a central role as consultants & possibly practitioners of euthanasia; & 2) more effective approaches to pain control may decrease requests for euthanasia & assisted suicide. The authors argue that anesthesiologists therefore have an opportunity, & responsibility, to address some of the key issues in the euthanasia debate. (52 refs.)