It’s not just story-technical. It’s also a connonical issue. The federation is, by al means, equal. Everyone is equal. Personal ambition can be achieved by merit. If you’d introduce genetic engineering (GE) in the mix, you’d have a system where personal ambition can only be achieved through GE. People are forced to GE thrmselves, or the’ll be left behind. The federation doesn’t need currency, but GE could become the new currency where only those qith the right and enough GE get the best treatment.