Why read Genes in Conflict?

Book cover of Genes in Conflict: The Biology of Selfish Genetic Elements

Book description

In evolution, most genes survive and spread within populations because they increase the ability of their hosts (or their close relatives) to survive and reproduce. But some genes spread in spite of being harmful to the host organism-by distorting their own transmission to the next generation, or by changing how…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Genes in Conflict as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

J. Arvid Ågren

Author

The biggest strength of the gene’s-eye view is that it helps us make sense of things that seem impossible to understand from the perspective of individual organisms. One example is selfish genetic elements. These are genes that in one way or another have hijacked the system by which genes are replicated and passed on to the next generation. This ability allow them to spread in a population, even if they are harmful to the organism that carries them. I was given Burt and Trivers's book as an undergraduate by the professor who would later become my PhD advisor. That was…

From J.'s list on selfish genes.