Star Trek discussions do tend to be interesting.

Gene Roddenberry always tried to tuck a moral dilemna / lesson in every episode. Whacked you upside the head with a hammer sometimes too.

A good deal of why it did so well was writing talent. In TOS many of the episodes were written by some of the big named sci-fi writers of the day. In the later series' it was very obvious when a writers strike was under way.

I recall that episode. It rightly tricks the viewer into asking what if he weren't trying to save others and just wanted to live, why should society's wants trump his wants.

I like that Star Trek raises the question, but the PD comes down an excuse for inaction unless we know the outcome of our actions for sure. It also suggests a cosmic plan fated to unfold, which people shouldn't intervene in.

The Star Trek TNG episode running now could have been right out of the Anti-Life chapter of AS.

David Ogden Stiers (formerly Charles Winchester from MASH) plays a scientist who is trying to save his world's sun and wants to live, but he turns 60 in a few days. On his planet, at age 60, people are supposed to voluntarily commit suicide so as to not place a burden on their offspring.

The Star Trek Prime Directive Meets Ayn Rand thread was an excellent discussion.
In fact, I am watching Star Trek: The Next Generation as I write this.