Star Trek makes social commentaries on race, social justice, and religion as well as science. Genetic engineering is a technology where writers can show how all of these issues converge. From eugenics - Space Seed (TOS), Masterpiece Society (TNG), and Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), to gene therapy - Doctor Bashir, I Presume (DS9), to manipulating DNA in embryos- Lineage (VOY), we are closer than ever to being able to change a person's genetic makeup. What does this mean for people with inherited disabilities? What does it mean for people who want designer babies?
Dr. Lehmann interviewed script writers and scientists while writing her book
All You Need To Know About Disability Is On Star Trek. She has put together a humorous but accurate look at genetic engineering as seen on Star Trek., sprinkled with short summaries about where we currently are in our genetic sciences. How long until doctors will be able to cure genetic disorders or create designer babies? We're a lot closer than you may think!
