Wow, we agree I think. I liken this to people being given snorts of Oxytocin, playing trust games, and then reading an article about "mind control sprays". Mind ALTERING sure, but then so is a pipe through the noggin.
This to me is just a new generation of the same old psychosurgeons, some with good intent and too much naivetee, some who do decent research but SERIOUSLY oversell the results for funding (understandable, but reperehensible), and most who as you so aptly say DROOL at the idea of being able to do to people for a while, what thay have to cats, dogs, and monkeys for MUCH longer.
What always gets to me about projects such as the ones you refer to (MK ULTRA and the like), beyond the ethical cluster****, is that they don't WORK. Inevitably, some people spill their guts if you dose them with scopolamine and sodium thiopental, many don't. NOW Midazolam is the big ticket, and again, some talk, most talk too much and just babble.
Why not just aim a Tesla Coil at someone's head at this point?! TMS clearly has an effect, but I question what kind of researcher, doctor or both is thinking when they move from that to "fine-tuning the mind". Oh, and Snyder we laugh at cry at, and realize that once again... going back to the CIA and DARPA... M.I.C.E.
Money
Ideology
Compromise/coercion
Ego
I believe that the bolds apply to Snyder and the middle two (C in the sense that they wish to do this to others) apply to DARPA. History seems to indicate that bluntly shutting down, or depressing those 'higher functions' also depressed the part you want to influence or talk to. As for control, I just have to laugh... DARPA is thrilled that they have RV Fruit Beetles

... as with mapping genomes, they should probably take the hint, along with anyone who thinks TMS is going to be more than mild and directed ECT sans obvious adverse reactions.
Everyone wants to alter the mind, but they set so few standards. I can alter my mind with a beer, or by getting a good or poor night's sleep, or by having a friend crack me in the head with a bat. Making the outcome useful and predictable... Now that is currently horse****.
Good column btw, grats on publishing in the Lancet.