• TheGrandNagus@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    59
    ·
    5 days ago

    I mean, in response to the last one, the Federation does allow (and sometimes advocates) for the correction of birth defects.

    Julian: 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.

    Deep Space Nine, “Doctor Bashir, I presume”

    Doctor: Yes. It’s a girl. And aside from the deviated spine, she’s healthy.

    Paris: Will she need surgery?

    Doctor: Fortunately, we’ve advanced beyond that. Genetic modification is the treatment of choice.

    Voyager, “Lineage”

    So I imagine plenty of disabilities do end up being erased, it’s just that being disabled is also socially accepted to a much greater extent than today.

    • aeronmelon@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      9
      arrow-down
      2
      ·
      5 days ago

      “DNA resequencing”

      If someone in Star Trek is born with a bum knee, they just laser surgery the knee. Deformed backbone, replicate a new backbone. A lot of defects and disabilities can be solved by 24th-century medicine without involving genetics.

      McCoy gave that old lady a pill and she regrew her kidney using her own aged body inside of an hour. Apparently, fixes of that type are an over the counter prescription and don’t run afoul of the eugenics laws either.

      Approved genetic modifications is more for things like conjoined births or fetal organ failure. Too many toes? Here’s some special shoes, carry on.