Jem'Hadar

In the fictional Star Trek universe, the Jem'Hadar are the shock troops of the powerful Dominion of the Gamma Quadrant. Genetically engineered for strength and courage, they are also very short-lived and believe that 'Victory is life'. They treat the Founders of the Dominion, enigmatic shape-shifters who rule the massive Dominion, as gods. The Jem'Hadar's numbers are unknown, but they may number in the billions.

Control

A key aspect, if not the defining aspect, of the Jem'Hadar is that the Founders believed these soldiers to be so ruthless that they needed a special "edge" to prevent them rebelling against the Dominion. For that reason, all Jem'Hadar are bred to lack a vital enzyme called ketracel-white, often called 'white' for short, which serves as their sole nutrition, the effects of which are said to resemble addiction. They are also genetically programmed with a type of imprintation process that prevents a Jem'Hadar from harming a Founder.

Related Topics:
Ketracel-white - Imprintation

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Founders use the Vorta to supply the Jem'Hadar with ketracel-white. It is administered through 10-15 cm cylinders that fit near a Jem'Hadar's collar, via a tube running into the jugular to provide a constant feed. If the supply of the drug runs out, a Jem'Hadar will suffer painful withdrawal symptoms, physical weakness, the inability to shroud or function competently, and eventual death.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Only one case of a non-addicted Jem'Hadar soldier is known: an anomaly which was the result of a random genetic mutation. Some sources have also indicated that the drug can be used as a narcotic by other species.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~