Human

Humans (*Homo sapiens*) are one of two known spacefaring intelligent species to have originated from the planet Earth (The other was the Voth). As the Latin word for their homeworld is "Terra", Humans are sometimes referred to as "Terrans". Occasionally, the term "Terran" is used to distinguish Humans living on Earth from those residing on other planets.

## Overview

A founding member of the United Federation of Planets, the Humans of Earth became warp-capable in 2063, which was the same year they experienced first contact with an alien species, the Vulcans.

By the 24th century, Human society changed from what it was for most of recorded history. On Earth, hunger, war, disease, famine, and poverty have largely been eliminated. The acquisition of wealth is no longer the primary driving force in the lives of many Humans. A great deal of emphasis is placed on the importance of continued societal and self-growth. Thanks to the non-currency based New World Economy and the development of replicators, material needs are largely satisfied.

Although money is no longer used by Humans within the Federation, they do use gold-pressed latinum and other forms of currency (such as Bajoran litas and credits) in places where it is still needed, such as in Ferengi establishments. The idea behind not using money is that Humans work to better themselves and the rest of Humanity. It must be noted that all of this more specifically applies to Humans within the Sol system, as many Earth colonies are known to have developed vast cultural differences from other Humans and some have even fallen into anarchy, most notably Turkana IV.

## Biology

The Human species is one of the more distinct sentient groups present in the Milky Way Galaxy since while they do not possess any dominant or noticeable bony ridges around their face or on their bodies, as is common to many races throughout space, they do possess a great deal of phenotypic diversity within their species. Skin color, eye color, blood type, facial structures, hair color and hair type vary considerably between individuals and help to make every single Human distinct in appearance from the next.

The make-up of Human DNA structure is significant, as, with some modifications, it allows them to cross breed successfully with a wide range of other races across the galaxy, including Vulcans, Klingons, and Betazoids.

Humans are not the strongest of species, but they are resilient. They can survive with one lung or kidney (they have two of each normally), and surprisingly they can go days without water and weeks without food due to their bodies' ability to conserve water and live off stored fat respectively. Their bodies' efficient temperature regulation allows them to survive cold temperatures to a far greater degree than other races such as the Cardassians and Klingons, or high temperatures that would be uncomfortable for an Andorian. It has also been noted that they possess more acute hearing than Cardassians.

Humans have iron-based blood. Each individual's blood has one of eight types depending on the presence or absence of three antigens called A, B, and Rh. The presence or absence of Rh is denoted by a plus sign (+) or a minus sign (-) respectively. If none of the three antigens are present, the blood type is known as “O”. The most common blood types are O+ and A+.

## Culture

Human adaptability and their strong tradition of innovation and cooperation, have brought them to the forefront of the current Federation intersteller situation. It is for this very reason, however, that Human society is constantly changing and evolving. This is seen not only on the isolated colonies, where the past traditions brought by culturally and geographically homogeneous blocks of colonists compete with new cultural pragmatisms demanded of frontier life, but also in the staid and settled core worlds as well. Fashion, speech and especially political views are constantly changing.

For species that are steeped in tradition and genealogical reverence as the basis of their societies, the Human fascination with the novel experience and their unending desire to innovate and explore, to discover for the sake of discovery, are all difficult concepts to grasp.