Bene Tleilax

Bene Tleilax
Bene Tleilax emblem from Emperor: Battle for Dune
Plot element from the Dune franchise
First appearance	Dune (1965)
Created by	Frank Herbert
Genre	Science fiction
In-story information
Type	Organization
Specific traits and abilities	Biological product manufacture and genetic manipulation

The Bene Tleilax or Tleilaxu /tleɪˈlæksuː/ are an extremely xenophobic and isolationist society in Frank Herbert's science fiction Dune universe. Genetic manipulators who traffic in biological products such as artificial eyes, gholas, and "twisted" Mentats, the Tleilaxu are a major power in the Imperium. The race is ruled by a small council of Tleilaxu Masters, whose genetically-engineered Face Dancer servants have the ability to mimic any human. The Masters themselves possess a bland and diminutive appearance intended to compel other races to underestimate them. In Heretics of Dune (1984) it is revealed that they are a secret totalitarian theocracy ultimately seeking domination of the known universe. Despite their influence, the Bene Tleilax are universally distrusted and inspire disgust because their products, though desirable, push the limits of the moral proscriptions established by the ancient Butlerian Jihad.

Gaius Helen Mohiam and all the Reverend Mothers within her shuddered. Yes, the Tleilaxu did loathsome things.

The Tleilaxu control a number of planets but are originally connected with Tleilax, the sole planet of the star Thalim; Herbert's 1965 novel Dune notes that the Tleilaxu are the source of "twisted" Mentats.Baron Harkonnen states his intent to "send at once to Tleilax for a new Mentat" after Piter De Vries is killed.