The Selfish Gene Essay -- Biology Essays Research Papers

The Selfish componentWe are excerption machinesrobot vehicles blindly programmed to preserve selfish molecules known as genes.-- Richard Dawkins, The Selfish Gene (1). prat genes alone determine your DNAs place in the next generation? argon humans simply vessels for these genes?With his provoking work entitled The Selfish Gene, Richard Dawkins attempts to dissolvent such questions as he proposes a shift in the evolutionary paradigm. Working through the metaphor of a selfish gene, Dawkins constructs an evolutionary model using a gene as the fundamental whole of measurement of selection, opposed to the more commonly accepted belief of the species as the unit of selection. This selfish gene, possessing a certain selfish emotional nature, acts as an independent entity fighting to ensure its replication in future generations, maximising its number of descendents (2). Those successful in replicating have made the most of their given up environment (1). For the interests of this paper , is it validated to assume that ingrained selection occurs at the level of DNA? Hence, what can be implied or so genetic predispositions? For Dawkins, evolution of a species is dependent upon the transmittance of this information to the next generation the individual species is impertinent (2). This theory is a departure from Charles Darwins theory of evolution, which concentrates on the species. Species, to Dawkins, are survival machines whose purpose is to host these genes, as species are mortals and fleeting, whereas genes are not (2).Is it valid to assume Dawkins position that humans are merely robot vehicles? This concept, change emotion, physical, and cultural growth from evolution, can be startling. By placing the importance of natural selec... ... , The opening pages of and selections from Dawkins workhttp//www.world-of-dawkins.com/Dawkins<br/Work/Books/selfpage.htm2)The Selfish Gene Theory, Explanatory locate providing overview of theory http//bovination.com/cbs/s elfishGene%20Theory.jsp3) The Selfish Gene? Reason in Revolt , genetical issues and Dawkins discussedhttp//www.marxist.com/rircontents.aspWorks Consulted4) In Defense of Selfish Genes , Dawkins refute to claims made about his theory by Mary Midgely http//www.royalinstitutephilosophy.org/articles/dawkins_genes.htm5) Selfish Genes and Social Darwinism , Counterarguments for Selfish Gene Theory http//www.royalinstitutephilosophy.org/articles/%20midgley_genes.htm6) The Selfish Gene The Underpinnings of Narcissism , Further discussion and implications on Selfish Gene Theory http//samvak.tripod.com/journal43.