Editing Replicator (Star Trek) (section)

==''Voyager''==
When the [[USS Voyager (Star Trek)|USS ''Voyager'']] was pulled to the [[List of Star Trek_regions of space#Delta Quadrant|Delta Quadrant]], it became clear that replicator technology was unknown to some of the indigenous peoples of that region. Throughout the first seasons, the [[Kazon]] and other races tried repeatedly to obtain the technology.

In the Voyager episode "[[State of Flux]]", how the Kazon aliens obtain the technology from the USS Voyager, is a major plot point in the episode.<ref>{{Cite web |first=James |last=Whitbrook |title=''Star Trek: Voyager{{'}}s'' Must-Watch Episodes |website=[[io9]] |date=2020-04-28 |url=https://gizmodo.com/star-trek-voyagers-must-watch-episodes-1843052360 |access-date=2025-02-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126095813/https://gizmodo.com/star-trek-voyagers-must-watch-episodes-1843052360 |archive-date=2025-01-26 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Kathryn Janeway|Captain Janeway]] feared that if this technology were acquired by a civilization before they were ready, disastrous consequences could ensue. For this reason, and because of the [[Prime Directive]], Janeway refused to give away the technology at any price.

Also on ''Voyager'', the ship's energy constraints on the journey back to the [[List of Star Trek_regions of space#Alpha and Beta Quadrants|Alpha Quadrant]] meant that replicator supplies had to be strictly controlled, leading to "replicator rations" becoming an unofficial ship currency. This is also the reason [[Neelix]] (aside from providing the crew with a morale boost through the preparation of fresh food) became employed as the ship's chef. Some ingredients came from the ship's [[hydroponics]] laboratory.