The Committee on Science and Human Values (CSHV) conducts dialogues among bishops, scientists, and theologians to explore current scientific and technological advances. Consultants assist the committee in planning the sessions and choosing the scientist participants. Recent dialogue topics have included global population (1993 and 1994); genetic testing (1995); genetic screening (1996); death and dying (1997); cloning (1998); stem cell research (1999); genetic modification in plants (2000); evolution (2001 and 2002); and genetic enhancement (2003).

The Committee has issued a series of popular-level pamphlets in the religion/science field, beginning with Science and the Catholic Church (1995). The other publications in the series are reports from dialogues between scientists and Catholic bishops. They include Critical Choices: Genetic Testing and Its Implications (1996), The Promise and Peril of Genetic Screening (1997) and The Manner of Our Dying (1998).

CSHV has conducted workshops for the bishops of the United States on cosmology and the Human Genome Project (1996), evolution (1997), and stem cell research (1999). The talks presented at these workshops are available in Origins, the documentary service of Catholic News Service (see "Departments" at home page).

The Committee collaborates with other USCCB committees (e.g., the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, the Committee on Education, the Committee on Domestic Policy) in addressing particular topics such as global climate change and the treatment of science in catechetical materials. It also cooperates with outside organizations that pursue related interests, especially the Program of Dialogue on Science, Ethics and Religion of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).