I would suggest it’s not even really close. I’m pretty sure that the Menk might feel differently about Phlox’s decision in a few hundred years.
while Phlox tries to see it as ‘living in harmony’ and having developed a ‘stable’ relationship, the Valakians were definitely using them as labor, forcing them to live in compounds where food cannot be readily grown and generally taking advantage of their naivety.
To aid the Valakians was to perpetuate that enslavement.
Further, it’s rather important to note Phlox didn’t create the genetic issue to begin with, nor did he cause it to accelerate. while withholding medical care is problematic, so is providing medical care that allows an entire species to perpetuate the exploitation of a “lessor” species.
Phlox committed genocide, did he not?
He abstained from interfering, thus allowing nature to take its course. So… kinda.
It’s surprising how often adhering to the prime directive results in genocide.
It’s a rough galaxy out there…
… if the Federation has anything to say about it.
It’s complicated…
I would suggest it’s not even really close. I’m pretty sure that the Menk might feel differently about Phlox’s decision in a few hundred years.
while Phlox tries to see it as ‘living in harmony’ and having developed a ‘stable’ relationship, the Valakians were definitely using them as labor, forcing them to live in compounds where food cannot be readily grown and generally taking advantage of their naivety.
To aid the Valakians was to perpetuate that enslavement.
Further, it’s rather important to note Phlox didn’t create the genetic issue to begin with, nor did he cause it to accelerate. while withholding medical care is problematic, so is providing medical care that allows an entire species to perpetuate the exploitation of a “lessor” species.