The views of the public & of professionals on the issue of euthanasia was examined in a sample of 417 subjects in Greece. Psychiatric speculations which arose during the approach of this issue were seen in the majority of the responses. Psychodynamic unconscious processes reinforced & violated mechanisms & motives in favour of or against euthanasia. Of the respondents, 44.3% were against life extension with mechanical devices. Putative main risk factors for suicidal ideation & the desire for death were pain, despair, depression, & psychopathology. The study revealed that public & professional knowledge about euthanasia is not very extensive & that discussion of this issue is needed & necessary. (23 refs.)