sees no alternative but to resign from Starfleet; genetically modified individuals are banned from Starfleet and from practicing medicine. Before Bashir can tender his resignation, his parents take matters into their own hands. Richard strikes a deal with the Judge Advocate General: Richard will spend two years in a minimum security prison for illegal genetic engineering, and Julian is allowed to retain his commission and his medical license. Julian makes some peace with his parents as they depart for Earth, grateful for his father's sacrifice. Meanwhile, Zimmerman pursues Dabo girl Leeta's affections, asking her to accompany him back to Jupiter Station. Shy Rom is too scared to say anything to convince her to stay, although Leeta would welcome any reason to stay with him. She is on the verge of leaving with Zimmerman when Rom careens around the corner and gives her the long-awaited reason to stay: "I love you." Leeta reciprocates, and agrees to stay. Production The episode began as a way to bring actor Robert Picardo and his character the Emergency Medical Hologram to Deep Space Nine. Amsha Bashir is portrayed by Fadwa El Guindi, an anthropologist with no previous screen acting experience, at the time a professor at UCLA. She was invited to audition for the role by Ron Surma, who saw her community theatre performance in Mahjar, a play she co-wrote and co-directed. Related episodes The villainous character of Khan Noonien Singh, introduced in the episode "Space Seed" of Star Trek: The Original Series, is mentioned in this episode as an example of the possible dangerous consequences of genetic manipulation. "Statistical Probabilities" and "Chrysalis", later episodes of Deep Space Nine, feature Bashir working with other genetically-modified characters whose modifications were not as successful as his. Reception Keith DeCandido of Tor.com rated the episode 7 out of 10. Cinefantastique gave it 2.5 out of 5. In 2012, Den of Geek ranked this the ninth best episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. References External links Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (season 5) episodes 1997 American television episodes Television episodes about eugenics Television episodes written by Ronald D. Moore Television episodes directed by David Livingston