Episode "Unnatural Selection" and the Genetic Experimentation Laws

[marsh8472]

Genetic engineering experiments are banned from the federation. This is mentioned throughout the star trek franchise. So why was it allowed during episode "Unnatural Selection" in regards to creating genetically enhanced children?

From "Doctor Bashir I presume" as an example

BASHIR: Starfleet Medical won't see it that way. DNA resequencing for any reason other than repairing serious birth defects is illegal. Any genetically enhanced human being is barred from serving in Starfleet or practising medicine.
O'BRIEN: I don't there's been a case dealing with any of this in a hundred years. You can't be sure how they'll react.
...
BENNETT: I don't think so. Two hundred years ago we tried to improve the species through DNA resequencing, and what did we get for our trouble? The Eugenics Wars. For every Julian Bashir that can be created, there's a Khan Singh waiting in the wings. A superhuman whose ambition and thirst for power have been enhanced along with his intellect. The law against genetic engineering provides a firewall against such men and it's my job to keep that firewall intact.

 

[Twilight Phoenix]

I'm interested in this topic and watching it
That's a strange coincidence, because some weeks ago I was thinking about the 24th century's assisted reproductive technology (ART) and I wondered if genetic engineering would be used. I was not thinking about programming an entire embryo, but rather about genetic repairing of gametes (in case of abnormal/not enough cells). My guess was there would be laws and strictly defined exceptions to avoid eugenist practices.
Most actual ART techniques would probably be legal and socially accepted, but what about gamete engineering ?

 

[Timo]

Most probably, the government is free to do as much genetic engineering as it wishes (since nobody saw anything being illegal about the "Unnatural Selection" antics). It's just that the government wants an absolute monopoly on the stuff. That way, the "Khan issue" is preempted: either nobody gets to develop individuals with superior ambition who take over the universe, or then the universe is already in the hands of the party that does such developing...

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Sakonna]

I love fanwanking ridiculous ways to smooth over continuity, but every time I catch "Unnatural Selection" in reruns (which happens constantly -- is this the favorite ep of someone at BBC America?) all I can think is "yeah, I got nothing."

Not to mention "Unnatural Selection" also invests the transporter with near-magical powers that could have saved the day in countless incidents after this! It's almost one of those eps you just have to partition in it's own pocket universe, with "Threshold" and a few others...

 

[Timo]

We can't have an all-encompassing ban on genetic engineering, because then there would be no Spock or, worse still, K'Ehleyr. Also, Crusher is always fiddling with people's genes.

But it's simple to draw a legal line where none functionally exists - between protection money and taxes, between murderers and soldiers, between evil genetical manipulators and government researchers.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Twilight Phoenix]

@Timo : why no K'Ehleyr ? I don't get it.

 

[MAGolding]

Spock is probably the result of genetic engineering since he is half Human and half Vulcan. That is why you didn't ask about him.

K'Ehleyr, Federation Ambassador to the Klingons, girlfriend of Worf, mother of Alexander, etc., is probably the result of genetic engineering since she is half Human and half Klingon. The same reason as Spock.

 

[Twilight Phoenix]

Mmmh...I'm not sure a Vulcan/Human reproduction would need genetic engineering, actually. That would sound more possible for Klingon/Human, as they have very significant differences in their inner anatomy and physiology (like the extranumerous organs in Klingons) though.
Just because two species are classified as "different" doesn't mean they can't hybrid, actually. Most people are taught from highschool that the major argument to discriminate between two species is fertility, but newest biology researches suggest reality is more complex than that. When coming from a close common ancestors (ie. Delphinidea species), species exist more as a continuum than distinct groups. Most Delphinidea species can successfully hybrid and give birth to viable and fertile progeny. That's also what happened with our ancestors, when numerous hybridations between our Sapiens ancestors and Neanderthalensis ancestors happened. So I'm not sure all hybrid characters in ST would have needed genetic engineering.

 

[Timo]

Hybrids may be a dime in a dozen in Trek, but K'Ehleyr actually warrants special comment from Troi in "The Emissary", to the effect that the (herself hybridized) empath didn't believe it would be possible for the two species to merge. The other hybrid replies "Actually, the DNA is compatible - with a fair amount of help".

Sounds like tampering with the genome to me (the "help" is directed at the DNA in that phrase). Also, sounds like the stuff Dr. Crusher does for a living.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Twilight Phoenix]

I didn't remember that quote from K'Ehleyr, thank you for the reminder
So I guess genetic engineering would be considered legal if it's only used as an ART technique for couples who need it ?

 

[Timo]

It can probably be used for correcting all sorts of "defects", including the inability of being born, but with the government deciding on the issue of need - so that the government would be unhappy with Julian Bashir getting better than he was, and the parents with him not getting better.

Then again, the Bashirs readily found help outside the UFP, yet civilizations outside the UFP aren't categorically plagued by supermen. So it's really just one of 'em moral convictions, the noncrucial choices that can be made for the we're-better-than-them effect - much like going vegan in a society that won't care and most certainly won't reduce its output of animal-based products because of ya.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Twilight Phoenix]

Errr, maybe we can avoid comparing veganism with some "we are better than them" trend ? ...I'm a vegetarian with vegan tendencies and I can say confidently that 98 % of veggies made that choice for the sake of the animals, not to make themselves feel "better than others".

 

[Wulf]

I can say confidently that 98 % of veggies made that choice for the sake of the animals, not to make themselves feel "better than others".

But, just like every group, the non-representative 2% are the loudest, and therefore what everybody thinks of first.

 

[Twilight Phoenix]

@Wulf : oh yes, they are ! I don't participate much in vegetarian/vegan groups anymore because those 2 % make groups an unwelcoming place...

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

So why was it allowed during episode "Unnatural Selection" in regards to creating genetically enhanced children?

Maybe that was a Section 31 operation. It's definitely in their wheelhouse, so to speak.

 

[Timo]

But let's examine the reaction of our heroes:

Riker: "The last port of call of the Lantree was the Darwin Genetic Research Station on Gagarin IV three days ago."
Pulaski: "Whatever happened, it could be something that the Lantree crew already had or it could have come from Gagarin. At the very least, the people from Darwin Station deserve a warning. We may have to consider a quarantine."

Not, say, Riker: "The last port of c... What the heck, Darwin Genetic Research Station? Why didn't Captain Telaka report on these criminals?" or Pulaski: "Whatever happened, it must be their fault. We may have to consider a bombardment.".

Picard: "Captain's log, supplemental. We're en route to the Federation Research station on Gagarin IV. The mere thought of a possible connection between the Lantree tragedy and a genetic research facility fills me with profound apprehension."

Seems Darwin is "a genetic research facility" among many. Apparently, Picard dislikes the places and the concept more than Pulaski does.

Pulaski: "Doctor, we understand that Darwin Station is involved in genetic research. Is there a possible connection?"
Kingsley: "Our research here is limited to human genetics."

It's not as if Kingsley is hiding the truth... Least of all when giving the guided tour.

Kingsley: "Our ultimate achievement. The oldest is twelve, and all are telekinetic. Watch."
Pulaski: "Genetically engineered?"
Kingsley: "Not engineered, created. Perfect in every way. Their body structure, their musculature, their minds."

These folks are in the explicit business of creating Khans. Oh, but they don't want to use the word "engineered". Perhaps doing so would be illegal? Not that Pulaski's tone of voice would be accusing or anything.

Timo Saloniemi