Health equity and access in implantable neural device research

Researchers are exploring a new generation of implantable brain devices designed to read, process, and translate brain signals into actions. Scientific research is meant to benefit everyone, so it's only fair that the responsibilities and risks of participating in research are shared fairly across society. Fairness requires not only avoiding the overrepresentation of vulnerable populations but also ensuring that members of vulnerable populations have equitable opportunities to participate. We're concerned that neural device research could unintentionally create inequities in who gets included in or excluded from participation. We call for a multi-stakeholder effort involving investigators, research sponsors, ethicists, and patient advocates to develop concrete policies and ethical guidelines that strike the right balance: ensuring access and opportunity while safeguarding against participation driven by socioeconomic desperation.