Spock: The Need to Breed

[gastrof]

I see a couple problems here.

First, Spock isn't Vulcan. He's a hybrid. If the Vulcans want to repopulate, they might reject any of his "contributions". If not, they might just as well ask for human sperm donations while they're at it.

No. I think right now, in spite of all their IDIC-ness, they want VULCAN children. Not Vulcan hybrids of any percentage.

Secondly, there's been some indication that at least by the TOS movie era, DNA records are so well established that it would have been possible to identify what Vulcan family Saavik had a blood tie to. (In the novelization, SHE just didn't want it.)

It's unlikely, with what we've seen of Vulcan culture, that any children born of an effort at accellerated population growth would be left without knowledge of who their biological families are.

Surrogate mothers maybe, but total disconnection from their blood kin? Not likely.

 

[DevilEyes]

I think the destruction of Vulcan could be quite a blow to Spock and Uhura's relationship because with only 10,000 Vulcans left the need to repopulate the species would mean even Spock's diluted genes would be needed. Out of those 10,000 a certain percentage would be unable to reproduce due to age though I'd imagine Vulcans living off world and able to get to ships and leave (or in ships already) at the time of destruction would be of prime breeding age. A very generous estimate would be 5000 Vulcan women of breeding age.

IMO Vulcan should use reproductive medicine to ensure that each birth would be twins. As has already been speculated they may need to shorten the 7 year gap. No matter what measures they go to I think a man of Spock's age would be under great pressure not to make any life choices that delay or opt out of the breeding of more Vulcans. How can he in good conscience continue his relationship with Uhura?

If there were only 10,000 humans left and I was in love with, say, Shran and my people came to me and said, "we need you to breed.. you are of prime age and we need everyone who is capable to contribute to the next generation of our species".. well I would just feel compelled to do it. Maybe I would insist on using donor sperm and Shran would just have to be the step-dad but I think this would not be an option for Vulcans who would want the first generation post genocide to be fully steeped in Vulcan cuture.

I think the only hope for Spock escaping this pressue is if they decided they didn't want diluted genes in their very small gene pool.

Why would they need Spock's sperm? I'm sure it's easier to get a lot of Vulcan sperm, than to find that many child-bearing women who would be able and willing to have (numerous?) children. Carrying a child to term is much more difficult and takes up a lot more time and effort (and danger) than donating sperm.

And if the Vulcans are that racist that they would not consider a hypothetical Spock and Uhura's child a Vulcan just because it is 3/4 Human - then wouldn't they have the same attitude to a half-breed's child with a Vulcan? It's still not "pure blooded Vulcan". If, on the other hand, they are not insisting on "pure blood", then Spock and Uhura's child would be considered Vulcan as much as Human. Spock could have a child with anyone and it would still be part Vulcan, and therefore a continuation of the race.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Why would they need Spock's sperm? I'm sure it's easier to get a lot of Vulcan sperm, than to find that many child-bearing women who would be able and willing to have (numerous?) children. Carrying a child to term is much more difficult and takes up a lot more time and effort (and danger) than donating sperm.

And if the Vulcans are that racist that they would not consider a hypothetical Spock and Uhura's child a Vulcan just because it is 3/4 Human - then wouldn't they have the same attitude to a half-breed's child with a Vulcan? It's still not "pure blooded Vulcan". If, on the other hand, they are not insisting on "pure blood", then Spock and Uhura's child would be considered Vulcan as much as Human. Spock could have a child with anyone and it would still be part Vulcan, and therefore a continuation of the race.

But.. but.. we need the love triangle between Uhura and Spock's sperm and their repopulate mandate and Spock! We NEED it I tell you!

 

[Admiral James Kirk]

Why procreate naturally at all? Couldn't they just clone a shitload of Vulcan infants? I don't think that would violate the Federations mandates against genetic engineering if its just straight cloning without any genetic alterations of any kind. Especially considering its in the interests of rebuilding an endangered species.