Evolution Evolution is a genetic change in a population over time , from which new species arise . On Earth , the theory of evolution was first proposed by Charles Darwin after observing the finch es of the Galápagos Islands . ( ) In 2151 , Doctor Phlox advocated denying treatment to the Valakian s for their genetic disease to Captain Jonathan Archer . He believed that the Menk , who co - inhabited Valakis , were on the verge of an " evolutionary awakening " , and that they would be interfering with a natural process if they saved the Valakians . ( ) Lokai had once heard that people on some Federation planet s believed that they were descended from ape s . In 2268 , Spock clarified to him that " " the actual theory is that all lifeform s evolved from the lower levels to the more advanced stages . " " ( ) In 2366 , a population of nanite s developed on the and underwent a form of evolution when they replicated and improved themselves with each generation . ( ) In the 24th century , an increasing number of the Zalkonian s began experiencing isoelectric bursts in their bodies which were the result of evolutionary changes . They were changing into powerful Non - corporeal lifeform s . ( ) In late 2369 , when Vedek Winn Adami demanded that Keiko O ' Brien stop teaching the Bajoran wormhole as a scientific phenomenon , Keiko asked what would happen when it came time to teach evolution or the creation of the universe . Winn replied that those " issues " would be dealt with when they arose . ( ) In 2370 , Lieutenant Commander Data speculated that a strange contagion that had overtaken the " Enterprise " - D was " de - evolving " the crew , by activating intron s that reverted them to earlier evolutionary forms . ( ) Regarding a protouniverse discovered in the Gamma Quadrant in 2370 , Odo speculated that entire species might evolve inside it , within a matter of hours . ( ) In 2375 , Quark told Odo that millions of years of humanoid evolution had predisposed them to fear that which is very different from them , such as changeling s . ( ) Appendices . Background information . Ronald D . Moore commented , " Trek " [ . . . ] accepts evolution as a believable and valid theory . Gene [ Roddenberry ] himself felt this very strongly and although we do try to embrace many points of view and many beliefs , there are some matters on which we do make our feelings known . That said , I also think that anyone within the " Trek " universe who espoused a ' creationist ' or similar view as to the origins of life would find their beliefs respected – ' respected ' being fundamentally different than ' believed . " " Human evolution was indirectly referred to in an ultimately unused line of dialogue from the script of . The line was said by Samuel T . Cogley after he realized that the reason Jame Finney had tried to pardon James T . Kirk from being accused of the murder of her father , Benjamin Finney , was that she had known her father was actually still alive . Theorizing that she had known this due to instinct , Cogley remarked , " " Thank God there ' s that much of the animal left in us . " " In the first draft script of ( which had the working title " Incident at P ' Jem " ) , Andorian s were said to have evolved from " subterranean creature s . "