3. Religious Tolerance
In A Series 5 episode of The Next Generation two key contentious themes were tackled; Klingon security chief Worf is paralyzed and wishes for a ritualistic suicide in line with his customs, while a visiting physician sporadically practices euthanasia and unethically tests treatment on terminal patients. Worf requests Commander Riker enable his suicide by passing him a knife. In response Riker eloquently and passionately argues that he has to respect, but not agree with cultural differences, forcing Worf to come to terms with the fact that the Klingon custom would force his son to watch his father's horrific self slaughter. The social and ethical dilemma of Euthanasia and illegal testing on patients is correspondingly explored; The Enterprises Doctor told the visiting physician 'You put your research ahead of your patients' lives. And as far as I'm concerned, that's a violation of our most sacred trust. I'm sure your work will be hailed as a stunning breakthrough. Enjoy your laurels, Doctor. I'm not sure I could.' It is clear that the the Spin Off shows equally grappled moral and ethical dilemmas in a commendable manner, showing a great deal of social progressivism in an age of technological and medical breakthroughs.