The Consortium of Jesuit Bioethics Programs holds a virtual symposium each year on a topic related to biomedical ethics or biomedical or behavioral research. These symposia bring to bear the considerable expertise and clinical experience in ethics that characterizes the consortium members.
 

The symposium consists of a featured paper by one of the members. Other members add peer commentaries that develop particular aspects of the topic from the featured paper. In addition, the consortium members then publish a consensus statement in a popular Catholic venue or academic journal. ("Undue Burden? The Vatican & Artificial Nutrition & Hydration", Commonweal, February 13, 2009 / Volume CXXXVI, Number 3)
 

The first symposium focuses on the recent controversy concerning the use of artificial hydration and nutrition with patients who are in persistent vegetative states.

Consortium of Jesuit Bioethics Programs’ Symposium on Artificial Nutrition and Hydration
 

Five Unacknowledged Shifts in the Catholic Tradition

James J. Walter, PhD, Austin & Ann O'Malley Professor of Bioethics
Chair of the Bioethics Institute, Loyola Marymount University

Commentary: PEG Tube: A Medical Treatment with Complications

Mark C. Aita, SJ, MD, Assistant Director

Institute of Catholic Bioethics, St. Joseph’s University

Commentary: Only When Death is “Imminent and Inevitable”? Reaffirming the Role of Prudence in Bedside Decision Making

Mark G. Kuczewski, PhD, The Fr. Michael I. English, SJ, Professor of Medical Ethics

Director, Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics & Health Policy, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine

Commentary: The Relevance of a Person’s Medical Condition and the Decision to Use ANH

Amy M. Haddad, PhD, Director, Center for Health Policy and Ethics
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Endowed Chair in Health Sciences, Creighton University

Commentary: Feeding Decisions, the Sensus Fidelium and Catholic Health Care Professionals

Carol Taylor, RN, PhD, Director, Center for Clinical Bioethics, Georgetown University