When it comes right down to it, every story has already been written. In drama classes, students are usually taught that there are seven basic plots and that all stories they will ever read or see are just deviations of those seven plots. So when you think of it that way, all the good ideas have always been done. It is simply up to the right author to put it another way and make it new in the eyes of the reader.

When speaking specifically of science fiction the answer is a resounding yes! Ultimately, the purpose of science fiction is to be relevant. Nearly every science fiction story is allegory of some kind, taking current pressing issues and rewriting them, so that the reader might see these close-to-home problems in a whole new light. While it is a film, a prime example of this ability can be seen in the movie "District 9." The film is a clear allegory covering the problems in Africa, issues of racism and the recent Blackwater incidents. But written as a science fiction story, these problems were brought to public attention in a brand new way, and the film received acclaim from critics and audiences alike.

If you would like to read some current science fiction novels that are still relevant and incredibly engaging, I recommend the more recent novels of William Gibson, Warren Ellis and Iain M. Banks. There are plenty of others, of course, and many more science fiction authors emerging to tell classic stories in new ways.