Editing Prime Directive (section)

{{Short description|Fictional Starfleet rule in Star Trek}}
{{about|the guiding principle in the fictional Star Trek universe|other uses of Prime Directive}}

In the [[fictional universe]] of ''[[Star Trek]]'', the '''Prime Directive''' (also known as "Starfleet [[General Order]] 1", and the "non-interference directive") is a guiding principle of [[Starfleet]] that prohibits its members from interfering with the natural development of alien civilizations.<ref name="auto1"/> Its stated aim is to protect unprepared civilizations from the danger of [[starship]] crews introducing advanced technology, knowledge, and values before they are ready.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Peltz|first=Richard J.|date=March 2003|title=On a Wagon Train to Afghanistan: Limitations on Star Trek's Prime Directive|url=http://lawrepository.ualr.edu/lawreview/vol25/iss3/6|journal=University of Arkansas at Little Rock Law Review|volume=25}}</ref> Since its introduction in the first season of the [[Star Trek: The Original Series|original ''Star Trek'' series]], the directive has been featured in many ''Star Trek'' episodes as part of a moral question over how best to establish [[Diplomacy|diplomatic relations]] with new alien worlds.