La’an’s Inherited Augmentations In Star Trek: Strange New World’s Explained
By WITNEY SEIBOLD
The episode, entitled “Ad Astra Per Aspera,” of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” reveals that Commander Una Chin-Riley (Rebecca Romijn) lied about her species and genetic status.
In Trek lore, genetic alteration has been banned in the Federation since the Eugenics Wars, posing trouble not only for Chin-Riley but also Lieutenant La’an Noonien-Singh.
La’an bears the same genetic enhancements as her grandfather, Khan Noonien-Singh, and despite inheriting the trait from birth, La’an could be in legal trouble with the Federation.
While the issue of genetic manipulation has always been present, “Enterprise” revealed that the enhanced individuals were the result of several generations of men named Soong.
In the series, Dr. Noonien Soong’s ancestor Arik had fully implemented an intergenerational gene manipulation project stemming from Khan and the Eugenics Wars.
Arik aimed to create superbeings, even implanting Klingons with altered human DNA to make them stronger. His actions illustrated why altered genetics were banned.
In Season 2 of “Picard,” the crew travels back in time and encounters Dr. Adam Soong, who had continued Arik’s genetic experiments to create the “perfect being.”
After his lab is destroyed, Adam finds a file detailing the Khan Project. This revelation indicates that the Soong’s are responsible for creating Khan.
La’an was never genetically modified, but she still carries her grandfather’s augmentations. She may not face any trouble, as she hasn’t hidden who she is.