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Selfish Gene Theory

A presentation of evolutionary theory based on the notion that the gene is the ultimate beneficiary of evolution by natural selection. Note that selfish gene theorists define a “gene” as any stretch of DNA that survives recombination, enabling it to benefit from selective preservation. Note also that selfish gene theorists impute no intentionality to genes; the language of selfishness is heuristic only.

References:

Dawkins, R. (1976). The Selfish Gene. Oxford: Oxford University Press.