Prime Directive

Also known as Starfleet General Order 1, the Federation Prime Directive states that members of the Federation (including Starfleet) must not interfere in the natural development of pre-warp civilizations, be it by intervention or the revelation of technology (or the means to create such technology) to the inhabitants of pre-warp civilizations.

Starfleet officers are required to understand that allowing cultures to develop on their own is an important right and therefore must make any sacrifice to protect cultures from contamination, even at the cost of their own lives.

In all, there are 47 sub-orders in the Prime Directive.