How to involve society into the ethics of non-invasive brain stimulation? Strategies for broader participation of stakeholders

Research and use of emerging neurotechnologies raise challenging ethical questions. We argue that a broad societal inclusion of different groups is needed in neuroethical deliberations which poses methodological challenges. Three requirements for participatory processes in the field of neuroethics include: (i) Integration of different types of knowledge, (ii) Debate about potential futures of neurotechnologies, and (iii) Balancing of technical-medical and societal-social concerns. One approach to meet these requirements is a “design-based and co-creative” participatory process. The approach ensures that all project interactions are easily accessible and relevant to all stakeholders and go beyond a survey of stakeholder opinions. Development and explication of ethical issues is consequently no longer a matter of small groups of specialists but systematically organized among the engagements of different stakeholder groups. • Involving social stakeholders in neurotechnological issues presents researchers with specific challenges. • It is important to integrate knowledge types, debate futures, and balance technical-medical with societal perspectives. • Methodologically, this can be achieved particularly well through design-based and participatory processes.