The Selfish Gene

(Name (Professor (University (Date

Gene Level Evolution

Traits , in general , are imprinted on genes . However , Richard Dawkins , in his book , `Selfish Gene ' illuminates the fact that humans are very special and interesting species for they know or discovered that traits can be changed and manipulated to their advantage . To this degree Dawkins argued that every species has a specific set of genes but these genes can be modified with respect to how they are reared or how they grew up , such as the case of the group Hymenoptera . The basic theme of

br Dawkins ' work focused on individual /gene level evolution and not to a species level evolution which is a prominent theory during Dawkins time

Evolution as identified in Dawkins ' book relates to the process of change in the genetic make-up of an individual . Species on the other hand is a distinct individual in a family or a group . Genes composed the traits and characteristics of the individual and consist of the natural framework of an individual . An individual is a sole organism that belongs to a particular species with a specific set of genes that are related with those that belongs to the same species

To illustrate the theme , it is important to note that Dawkins used ESS or Evolutionary Stable Strategy theory which is popularized by Price to demonstrate the Strategies which different individuals might actually and hypothetically do in certain cases to be able to succeed in the game of survival . Dawkins somehow managed to take the evolution process into the gene-level through an explanation of why people tend to think that it is actually `at the species level . He concedes that it is actually a `survival of the stable ' for which an organism managed to live and populate into a group and survived for so many years . He tries to demonstrate that in reality there are instances that prove that things ought to be stable -his examples ranges from rounded shape of water in space and the helix formation of nucleotides into DNA

The role of DNA is vital in the book and its primary theme . The author further tries to link the concept of gene with the basic principle of `survival of the fittest ' which dominates Darwin 's theory of evolution Dawkins illustrate how everything else comes from a single set of DNA or nucleotides which forms , develops and mutates into something else to be able to survive . The new sets of genes have a `machine ' or a `body which reproduce and pass on the `survival gene

]The author further described that there seems to be an antagonism towards other gene groups and gene machines . This is due to the fact that other gene machines are seen as opponents . Gene machines and individuals belonging to the same group tend to develop closer ties because they share a commonality for which the whole group depends for survival

Cannibalism becomes rare and defeating rivals becomes a primary goal The survival of a gene lies on cooperation within...