Gideon

The planet Gideon is a Class M world located in the Chi-Laun System. It is the sole planet in the system, although a large asteroid field hints to past worlds long gone. It is governed by the Gideon Council, which in turn is headed by a prime minister. The Federation tried for many years to establish diplomatic ties before succeeding in 2268. Initial reports stated that Gideon was a paradise---a planet with a germ-free atmosphere and people that had a great love of life. They had the ability to regenerate themselves every few years, creating extrememly long lifespans. Gideons did not believe in birth control, suicide, or most forms of violence.

Unbeknown to the crew of the USS Enterprise that visited that same year, was that Gideon was also grossly overpopulated. People lived packed together to the point there was little privacy or comfort. To guard this secret, the planet had a system of sensor screens that hampered a ship's ability to scan the surface. The Council itself requested to all ships not to attempt such scans. They only allowed Capt. James T. Kirk to beam down to negotiate. Unfortunately, the Council had hoped to use a deadly disease that Kirk was a carrier of called Vegan choriomeningitis to reduce its population. Kirk refused to help on moral grounds, but a Gideon named Odona is infected with the disease and elects to return to her people with it. (The Original Series: "The Mark of Gideon")

The Federation refused to get involved in Gideon's population crisis, other than to offer transport to other worlds for those that wished it. Such a move could be deadly to a Gideon, as they were exposed to many diseases. (Those willing were of course innoculated as well as could be at the time.)

Gideon joined the UFP in 2277.