Bruce Maddox

Bruce Maddox was a male human in 24th century, and one of Starfleet's foremost cybernetics experts. In 2341, he was among those asked to rule on the android Data's admittance to Starfleet Academy; he was the only person to object, on the grounds that Data was not a sentient being.

By 2365, Maddox held the rank of Commander, and was the Associate Chair of Robotics at the Daystrom Technological Institute. That year, he submitted a proposal to disassemble Lt. Commander Data for research purposes, which was approved by Admiral Nakamura. Data challenged these orders, and Maddox had to argue his case before Judge Advocate General officer Phillippa Louvois. Louvois ruled against Maddox, though the hearing brought him a greater appreciation of Data's inherent worth. Maddox would continue a correspondence with Data for several years to follow. 

In 2380, Maddox, now holding the rank of Captain, argued before Federation President Nan Bacco and the Federation Judiciary Council that B-4 should not be disassembled. He was successful in his arguments against Dr. Lars Patek. (novel: Articles of the Federation)