Genetic unspooling

Genetic recombination monitor

Nambue treats Michael Burnham's genetic unspooling (2256)

Genetic unspooling was a potentially fatal condition caused by certain types of radiation and during which an individual's DNA "starts to unravel."

In 2256, Commander Michael Burnham took an environmental suit into the radiation field of a binary system, given an estimated twenty minutes before suffering genetic unspooling. Having lost communication with the USS Shenzhou, she drifted and started to suffer the effects before being rescued and treated through genetic recombination.

Burnham interupted her treatment and left the antiproton chamber for the bridge while still irradiated. Doctor Nambue warned, "Do you understand the effect of genetic unspooling? You don't want to die that way!" – but couldn't stop her. (DIS: "The Vulcan Hello")