Unveiling the Forbidden Frontier in Star Trek: Debunking the Augment Ban Trial
Despite Number One's trial win, Star Trek's ban on Augments remained untouched, leaving fans wondering why her victory couldn't resolve the Federation's long-standing issue
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Warning: Spoilers ahead for Season 2, Episode 2 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - "Ad Astra Per Aspera"
Number One (Rebecca Romijn) successfully wins her trial in Season 2, Episode 2 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. However, Starfleet is still bound by their controversial ban on augmented individuals. In Season 1, Episode "Ghosts of Illyria," Commander Una Chin-Riley discloses her genetic modification as an Illyrian to Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and certain members of the USS Enterprise crew. Although Pike fully accepts Una's genetic modification, she is later arrested due to lying on her Starfleet application at the end of Season 1. The second episode of Season 2, "Ad Astra Per Aspera," delves into this cliffhanger with a classic Star Trek courtroom drama.
Although Number One is reinstated as the First Officer of the Starship Enterprise by the end of Season 2, Episode 2, her victory does not alter Federation laws concerning genetic modification. Initially, the ban was implemented to prevent the emergence of another superhuman dictator like Khan Noonien-Singh (Ricardo Montalban). However, over time, this law has been exploited to justify discrimination and persecution. This episode sheds light on the ban's numerous flaws, yet it is impossible for the show, being a prequel, to completely repeal the ban.
Why Number One's Trial Win Only Fixed Her Starfleet Problem
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Based on the season 2 trailers of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, it became evident that Number One would eventually return to the Enterprise. With the assistance of her lawyer and childhood friend, Neera Ketoul (played by Yetide Badaki), Una successfully wins her case and resolves her Starfleet predicament. Unfortunately, even with compelling emotional arguments from Una and Neera, the Federation's prohibition on genetic augmentation remains in effect. Initially intending to utilize Una's trial as a means to challenge the ban on genetic modification, Neera, a Civil Rights lawyer specialized in Illyrian rights, employs her expertise in Starfleet law and her understanding of Una to manipulate the court into granting Number One asylum within the Federation.
The ban on genetic engineering, rooted in the Eugenics Wars of the 21st Century, is understandable. However, "Ad Astra Per Aspera" illuminates how this ban has been used to justify discrimination and prejudice. The judges presiding over Una's trial come to the realization that individuals with genetic augmentation should not be generalized, and that each case should be thoroughly investigated. In making this crucial decision, the judges demonstrate Starfleet's commitment to upholding its ideals whenever possible. The arguments presented in this episode demonstrate the need to reevaluate the ban on genetic modifications, although this is unlikely to occur in the near future.
Star Trek's Real Reason Number One's Trial Didn't Fix The Federation's Ban On Augments
Despite Una and Neera presenting a compelling argument against the augment ban, prior Star Trek series have already established that the ban remains in effect well beyond Number One's trial. Although not explicitly addressed in Star Trek: The Next Generation, the ban on genetic engineering still persisted during the era of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and even extended into Star Trek: Prodigy. Just like Una, Dr. Julian Bashir of DS9 (played by Alexander Siddig) deceitfully concealed his genetic enhancements on his Starfleet application. Upon the revelation of Bashir's secret in the DS9 episode "Doctor Bashir, I Presume," his father strikes a deal with Starfleet, accepting imprisonment so that Bashir can continue serving as DS9's doctor.
In order to maintain consistency with the established Star Trek canon, Strange New Worlds had to uphold the augment ban. Even so, "Ad Astra Per Aspera" effectively highlights the inherent injustice of the ban and exposes its contradiction with Starfleet's professed ideals. Fortunately, the individuals overseeing Una's trial recognize the complexity of the matter and agree that she should not be punished for simply being herself. Nevertheless, Starfleet has a significant journey ahead if they aim to align all their laws with their values. While Star Trek: Strange New Worlds cannot overturn the Federation's ban on genetic modification, it does make a progressive stride by creating a loophole for Illyrians to seek asylum within Starfleet.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 streams Thursdays on Paramount+.
