Is the formation shown in Science Fiction true? If so, then what is its significance? Is it a deliberately distancing and depersonalizing locution, an oft-used writer’s shorthand to denote an alien perspective?

Given that, you wouldn’t use it in ordinary discussion. English is an insult after all. But not only is “Other than” it’s normal in German.

With that said, there are exceptions. When we say there are exceptions, there are exceptions. In modern American slang, “females” is used instead of “women” but usually only if the speaker is male. Which can be problematic, please try without judgement? Also, as @KarlG indicated, it can be used in institutional or scientific descriptions (perhaps because of the depersonalizing effect, and perhaps to avoid the numerous additional connotations of “man” and “woman”).