Medicine, Bioethics & Care Ethics

Physician · Bioethicist · Jesuit Priest

I am a physician and bioethics researcher based at KU Leuven, Belgium, where I am currently pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Sciences. My work focuses on ethical questions in healthcare, particularly in clinical medicine, conscientious objection, relational autonomy, and end-of-life care. I am also involved in medical education and public health initiatives, particularly in resource-limited settings.

KU Leuven · Belgium

Publications

Research Areas

Conscientious Objection
& End-of-Life Ethics

Ethical, clinical and regulatory perspectives on conscientious objection in healthcare.

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Relational Autonomy
& Care Ethics

Autonomy, relationships,
vulnerability and
the ethics of care.

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Global Health, Africa
& Medical Education

Medical education, healthcare
and public health in
resource-limited settings.

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Foundations
of Bioethics

The disciplinary, epistemological
and methodological foundations
of bioethics.

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Biography

Carlos Gómez-Vírseda (Madrid, 1985) is a physician and Jesuit priest. He previously served as Head of the Internal Medicine Department at Le Bon Samaritain Hospital in N’Djamena, Chad, where he also teaches at the Jesuit Faculty of Medicine and Nursing.

After studying philosophy and theology, he obtained two university master's degrees: one in Bioethics from the Pontifical University of Comillas, Spain, and another in End-of-Life Ethics from KU Leuven, Belgium. Both degrees were awarded with academic distinction. Within the Society of Jesus, he also served as Vocations Promoter for the Jesuit Province of Spain and has participated in several missions in Africa, the United States and Latin America.

He is currently completing a PhD in Bioethics at KU Leuven, focusing on conscientious objection to euthanasia and assisted suicide. He also works as a chaplain in the Pastoral Care Service at Clinique Saint-Jean in Brussels, where he accompanies patients, particularly those receiving end-of-life, palliative and oncology care.

carlos.gomezvirseda (at) kuleuven.be