a horribly ambitious and terribly long project

[Jayfar]

Epiphyte78,

I think I might disagree with your basic premise, but I thoroughly enjoyed the essay. Doesn't the 'Prime Directive,' or a corollary, come into play here?

Prime Directive - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This directive can be found in the Articles of the Federation, Chapter I, Article II, Paragraph VII, which states:
“ Nothing within these Articles Of Federation shall authorize the United Federation of Planets to intervene in matters which are essentially the domestic jurisdiction of any planetary social system, or shall require the members to submit such matters to settlement under these Articles Of Federation. But this principle shall not prejudice the application of enforcement measures under Chapter VII. ”

It has been further defined in this way:
“ As the right of each sentient species to live in accordance with its normal cultural evolution is considered sacred, no Star Fleet personnel may interfere with the normal and healthy development of alien life and culture. Such interference includes introducing superior knowledge, strength, or technology to a world whose society is incapable of handling such advantages wisely. Star Fleet personnel may not violate this Prime Directive, even to save their lives and/or their ship, unless they are acting to right an earlier violation or an accidental contamination of said culture. This directive takes precedence over any and all other considerations, and carries with it the highest moral obligation. ”

In other words, the Federation cannot expose an evolving species to technology that the species has not yet discovered or is currently capable of developing.