Replicator (Star Trek) - Voyager

Voyager

When the USS Voyager was pulled to the Delta Quadrant, it became clear that replicator technology was unknown to some of the indigenous peoples of that region. Throughout the first seasons, the Kazon and other races tried repeatedly to obtain the technology. Captain Janeway feared that if this technology were acquired by a civilization before they were ready, disastrous consequences could ensue (on one occasion a Kazon ship was severely damaged when its crew tried to construct a replicator; instead the deck was flooded with nucleon radiation and extremely high levels of Neosorin particles). For this reason, and because of the Prime Directive, Janeway refused to give away the technology at any price.

Also on Voyager, the ship's energy constraints on the journey back to the Alpha Quadrant meant that replicator supplies had to be strictly controlled, leading to "replicator rations" becoming an unofficial ship currency. This is also the reason Neelix (aside from providing the crew with a morale boost through the preparation of fresh food) became employed as the ship's chef. Some ingredients came from the ship's hydroponics laboratory.