The Star Trek Federation knows its ban on genetic engineering is wrong
The Federation’s ban on genetic engineering is wrong, and a new Star Trek comic explores why.
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Caveat; contains spoilers for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The Illyrian Engima #1The prohibition of genetic engineering in the star trek the universe is wrong, and the Federation knows it. In the new IDW Publishing publication Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The Illyrian Enigma #1the team deals with the fallout from the end of the show’s first season, who saw Number One, who is genetically modified, arrested by Starfleet officers. Now, his crewmates are dealing with what happened, making it clear that this law is unfair and unjust. The issue is on sale now in print and digital.
Genetic engineering is a crime in the United Federation of Planets, derived from Khan Noonien Singh and his Augments, genetically modified humans who nearly destroyed the Earth. This left a bad taste in humanity’s mouths, resulting in the practice being banned centuries later. Of course, this hasn’t stopped humans from trying it, and genetic modification became a central plot point not only in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (where the rule was first introduced) but also Star Trek: Into Darkness. strange new worlds has picked up on this plot point; A Chin-Riley, also known as Number One, is a genetically modified Illyrian. One lied on her Starfleet application, omitting that she was an Illyrian. When the truth came out, she was arrested and taken into custody.
now she Business crewmates are dealing with what happened. Uhura, Ortegas and Nurse Chapel are having dinner in the dining room and discussing the Numero Uno situation. Uhura calls the situation “complicated”, while Ortegas considers the ban “archaic” and a slap in the face to the concepts of diversity and acceptance, pillars on which the Federation is built. Nurse Chapel explains that the Illyrians are still largely unknown and judging them by Federation standards is unfair. Uhura decides that Starfleet will not listen to them on the matter, so they must manufacture They Listen The Number is written by Kirsten Beyer and Mike Johnson, illustrated by Megan Levens, colored by Charlie Kirchoff, and written by Neil Uyetake.
Federation genetics ban is reactionary
The The Federation’s stance on genetic engineering is sticky, which emerges from a dark chapter in human history. Genetically modified super people almost destroyed the Earth; The adage “once bitten, twice shy” applies here. However, the official position of the Federation on the issue is reactionary and myopic. Firstly, there are species, such as the Illyrians, who practice it regularly, and it is warp and woof in their culture. Ortegas is correct that expecting other species to adhere to this rule goes against the Federation’s principles of diversity and tolerance; Why are other species punished for the actions of humans in the 20th and 21st centuries? Also, what if genetic engineering could save lives? This topic has been explored in several star trek shows and novels, particularly with the character of Doctor Julian Bashir since Deep Space Nine. The ban on genetic engineering still persists into the 24th century, which means that the crew of the Business it will not convince the Federation to take a radical turn. While they will undoubtedly succeed in freeing Una, the ban will remain.
The topic of genetic engineering in the star trek the universe is here to stay; not only has strange new worlds explored the ramifications of the ban, but Star Trek: Prodigy also. Both shows have scrutinized the law with nuances, but one thing is clear: the ban is wrong, and the Federation knows it.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The Illyrian Enigma #1 It’s now on sale at IDW Publishing!