Richard Dawkins first published The Selfish Gene in 1976. The world of the selfish gene revolves around savage competition, ruthless exploitation, and deceit, and yet, Dawkins argues, acts of apparent altruism do exist in nature. In the provocatively titled “Die, Selfish Gene, Die,” Dobbs writes about the notion of rapid gene expression—the idea that the genes within any given organism can be re-read or re-expressed to make the organism better suited for survival. The short answer is they don't take it very seriously, if they do, they generally reject it. The "selfish gene" theory proposed by Richard Dawkins has been an influential thread in scientific and popular thinking for the past 25 years. A formal theory of the selfish gene Population genetics. Life With Selfish Genes: The Evolution Of Richard Dawkins On the other hand, Dawkins’ forays into the popularization of evolutionary processes also made the zoologist the target of creationists and even a few biologists. There were bitter debates that raged among scientific communities involving many … As relevant and influential today as when it was first published, ''The Selfish Gene'' has become a classic exposition of evolutionary thought. More important, some researchers believe these networks challenge the selfish-gene model because they often seem to behave not like selfish entities balancing their separate agendas, in selfish-gene style, but like managerial teams regulating the behaviour of individual genes for the interest of the organism. Selfish Genes and Gene-Centered Evolution . Memes are also the focus of much criticism as nobody has succeeded in forging a scientific basis for the theory of meme transmission. Wild animals seldom die in old age since they are picked off by predators, starve, or get diseases. Therefore, this essay aims to outline the two processes of selection, the natural and sexual selection and the effects they have on genes. This should not need mentioning, but Richard Dawkins's book The Selfish Gene has succeeded in confusing a number of people about it” (Midgley). The Selfish Gene had two major impacts on my mindset: As a biology student in the 1970s, I found The Selfish Gene one of the most exciting books I had ever come across. Published February 11, 2009 . It was met with controversy and become one of the most talked about concepts in evolutionary biology for years thereafter. The Selfish Gene is a 1976 book on evolution by the biologist Richard Dawkins, in which the author builds upon the principal theory of George C. Williams's Adaptation and Natural Selection (1966). In his internationally bestselling, now classic volume, The Selfish Gene, Dawkins explains how the selfish gene can also be a subtle gene. Furthermore, it will explain what is meant by altruistic behaviour in relation to selfish gene theory and it will also present the types that have helped to the explanation of altruistic behaviour. This 78-page guide for “The Selfish Gene” by Richard Dawkins includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 13 chapters, as well as several more in-depth sections of expert-written literary analysis.