This article presents a summary of the symposium entitled Effects of Medical Interventions on Suicidal Behavior which convened on February 26-28, 1998 in Miami, Florida. The symposium strongly supported the proposition that suicide is amenable to ethical scientific investigation, suggested that evidence supporting suicide risk-reduction can be developed, & encouraged studies to test the effects of specific interventions on suicidal risk. Increased awareness & early recognition of suicidal patients by physicians was also recommended. (32 refs) (SC)