The Sword and Laser discussion

I keep wondering if the Oankali and the Ooloi in particular are meant to represent drug dealers. There's a section in the third book that really stood out to me, where Lilith considers telling Jodahs' potential mates about how they'll be addicted to him if they stick around long enough. Of course, they end up addicted. Also, the humans try to walk away from their Ooloi but always come back, and their other relationships are irrevocably altered once they get involved with their Ooloi.

I have also been thinking about the Ooloi as the doctors that do in vitro, and how that can drive a wedge between partners when they're upset they can't make a baby the old fashioned way.

Interesting take on the symbolism here.

In the specific case you mention with Lilith, Jodahs and its human mates, I just took that one to be Lilith's loyalty being to her child opposed to the young human siblings. Lilith can either say something and jeopardize Jodahs or she can say nothing and condemn Jesusa and Tomas to a fate much the same as her own. As Jodahs points out, after the Mars colony is established, Lilith isn't unhappy with her life and she probably sees much the same for the siblings. I think she is disappointed in Jodahs for not telling them though, but understands and supports his decision.