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ShareInheriting the mantle of revolutionary biologist from Darwin, Watson, and Crick, Richard Dawkins forced an enormous change in the way we see ourselves and the world with the publication of The Selfish Gene.
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Suppose, instead of thinking about organisms using genes to reproduce themselves, as we had since Mendel's work was rediscovered, we turn it around and imagine that "our" genes build and maintain us in order to make more genes.
That simple reversal seems to answer many puzzlers which had stumped scientists for years, and we haven't thought of evolution in the same way since.
Why are there miles and miles of "unused" DNA within each of our bodies? Why should a bee give up its own chance to reproduce to help raise her sisters and brothers? With a prophet's clarity, Dawkins told us the answers from the perspective of molecules competing for limited space and resources to produce more of their own kind.
Drawing fascinating examples from every field of biology, he paved the way for a serious re-evaluation of evolution.
He also introduced the concept of self-reproducing ideas, or memes, which (seemingly) use humans exclusively for their propagation.
If we are puppets, he says, at least we can try to understand our strings.
For more information about the title The Selfish Gene: 30th Anniversary Edition--with a new Introduction by the Author, read the full description at Amazon.com, or see the following related books:
The Selfish Gene — Inheriting the mantle of revolutionary biologist from Darwin, Watson, and Crick, Richard Dawkins forced an enormous change in the way we see ... > read more
The Making of the Fittest: DNA and the Ultimate Forensic Record of Evolution — Throw out your fossils—the best evidence for evolution is now found in DNA.DNA is the genetic blueprint of all creatures. Scientists have only ... > read more
The Genie in Your Genes: Epigenetic Medicine and the New Biology of Intention — Author Dawson Church applies the insights of the new field of Epigenetics (epi=above, i.e. control above the level of the gene) to healing. Citing ... > read more
The Blind Watchmaker: Why the Evidence of Evolution Reveals a Universe Without Design — Richard Dawkins is not a shy man. Edward Larson's research shows that most scientists today are not formally religious, but Dawkins is an ... > read moreRecommend this page on Facebook, Twitter,
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