No episódio da TNG " Eu, Borg " há uma variedade de razões que Picard finalmente decide para não usar a arma " Anomalia Topológica 4747 " contra os Borgs;
A Carta da Federação opõe-se explicitamente ao uso de armas de destruição em massa e afirma o ' valor fundamental de todas as formas de vida '
"We the lifeforms of the United Federation of Planets determined to
save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, and to reaffirm
faith in the fundamental rights of sentient beings, in the dignity and
worth of all lifeforms, in the equal rights of members of planetary
systems large and small, and to establish conditions under which
justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and
other sources of interstellar law can be maintained, and to promote
social progress and better standards of living on all worlds..."
Tanto Cpt Picard quanto Cpt Janeway repetidamente expressam preocupação sobre a perspectiva de cometer genocídio em vários episódios de Trek, incluindo VOY: "Scorpion Pt II" e TNG: "The Survivors"
Picard tem um profundo respeito pela opinião de sua equipe. Geordi La Forge, Beverly Crusher e Guinan (que você esperaria ser totalmente entusiasta sobre a idéia de matar os Borgs) todos expressam profundas dúvidas sobre o projeto;
GEORDI : I have to admit... I've been having second thoughts about this plan.
PICARD : For what reason?
GEORDI : Well... I've been getting to know him. The Borg.
PICARD : I see.
GEORDI : He's not what I thought he would be, sir. He has feelings... he's homesick...
I don't know... it just seems wrong to use him like this.
-
Guinan (to Picard) : If you're going to use this person to destroy his race, don't you think you should look him in the eye once before
you do it? Besides... I'm not so sure he is Borg anymore.
Terceiro dos Cinco (AKA 'Hugh') expressa independência genuína. Ele está começando a reafirmar totalmente sua individualidade;
PICARD : You will assist us in assimilating this vessel.
PICARD : You are Borg. You will assist us. [Hugh takes a breath... then...]
BORG (Hugh) : I will not.
Embora Picard odeie verdadeiramente os borgs, ele recusa a idéia de cometer assassinato a sangue-frio e usar um ser sénior como arma, mesmo na tentativa de evitar a guerra;
Picard : As far as I can tell, he seems to be a fully realized individual... He has even accepted me as Picard, Captain of this ship,
and not as Locutus.
GEORDI : Then... you've reconsidered the plan?
PICARD : Yes. If we used him in that manner, we'd be no better than the enemy we seek to destroy. I want other options.