The Selfish Gene, a book review

Richard Dawkins became famous due to the success of The Selfish Gene (1976), which is now a classic popular science book. Its main theme is that natural selection develops at the gene level, not at the level of the individual. In fact, he goes as far as to say that “…we, and all other animals, are machines created by our genes.” [p. 2]. The replicators (the genes within DNA) developed longevity, fecundity, and high-fidelity, and  they drive the robotic machines.

The ‘selfish’ aspect of Dawkin’s thesis is meant in a metaphoric sense: genes are not consciously selfish, but it would appear as though they are to an outside observer. And, indeed, Dawkins points out that altruism is a required element for the continuance of the replicator (Dawkins biggest hurdle with many critics was the term selfish; in retrospect, he admits — in the introduction to the 30^th anniversary edition — that The Immortal Gene may have served him better as a title).

Later in the book, Dawkins explains that the evolution of the brain has created beings that are able to rise above the control of the ‘selfish gene’, and he coins another term for beings that have attained this level of evolution: the selfish meme.

Dawkins is a persuasive writer and he builds his case well by using scientific examples in layman’s language, but at times his tautologies feel top heavy, as if they were built on an invisible foundation (a certain behavior must be due to selfish genes because all behavior is due to selfish genes).

There are some fascinating facts sprinkled throughout the book and there is an abundance of food for thought, but I cringed when Dawkins began to philosophize (he admits he is not a philosopher, yet this does not stop him from moralizing); in particular, I found his diatribes against religion off-putting. I’m not going to spend time here arguing for (or against) religion, but I think Dawkins could have let his thesis stand on its own (he should have made his points and moved on) without attacking a belief system that is not truly disprovable; after all, Dawkins’ theory is really just another belief system.

If you plan to read the book I would recommend acquiring at least the second edition (updated with corrections and extra material, including excellent Endnotes), which enriches the reading experience.

The Selfish Gene is an enjoyable read, with a few sections I had to slog through, and some unfortunate sections I could have done without, but it was intellectually stimulating.

Recommended.

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Chlorophyll (and a couple of cousins)

When a metal ion is bonded in the center of an organic molecule, it is referred to as a chelate. Chlorophyll, the green pigment in plants, is one of the most important naturally-occurring chelates. The central ion in chlorophyll is magnesium, which is bonded to an organic molecule called a porphyrin, which contains four nitrogen atoms that bond with the central magnesium (to be overtly pedantic, they bond in a square planar arrangement).

[image credit: Learn for knowledge]

Chlorophyll absorbs in the red and blue-violet spectrum and reflects yellow-green, hence its name (from the Greek, chloros, for yellow-green).

Chlorophyll’s most extraordinary feature, of course, is its ability to absorb the energy of our sun and, through the process of photosynthesis, use the sun’s energy to transform carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates and oxygen. The carbohydrates produced (designated below as the empirical formula (CH₂O)) are the energy that fuels biochemical reactions in almost all living organisms on our planet.

CO₂ + H₂O  → (CH₂O) + O₂

Chlorophyll is the catalyst in the electron transfer, oxidation-reduction reaction between carbon dioxide and water (and isn’t it grand that one of the by-products of photosynthesis is oxygen for us to breathe?).

As with many things regarding life on this planet, designs are repeated: blueprints are used over and over. For example, there are molecules with similar structures to chlorophyll that are essential in other biochemical electron-transfer (oxidation-reduction) reactions.

Heme is a close-cousin to chlorophyll with a similar porphyrin structure, but heme is bright red and has an iron(II) ion in its center.  In our red blood cells, heme is bound to proteins and forms hemoglobin; which, in turn, combines with oxygen in our lungs and releases the oxygen into our tissues through the flow of blood.

Vitamin B₁₂ (also called cobalamin), another close-cousin to chlorophyll, has a cobalt ion at the center of the porphyrin structure. B₁₂, like heme, is bright red and is required for cellular metabolism, the formation of DNA, and energy production. B₁₂ is not produced by higher plants, so vegetarians and vegans must ensure they consume other sources or their diet can lead to a B₁₂ deficiency.

It never ceases to amaze me that the underlying patterns of life on this planet are so similar, or that all life on Earth is intrinsically interconnected. It’s the reason I studied bio-sciences at university (though I can’t quite explain my years studying and working with electronics and mechanical systems), and I’ll never forget Cyril, my first-year biology Professor at SFU, who, when I stared at him with the wide-eyed disbelief of thunderstruck knowledge, smiled and said to me: “So; do you believe in God?”

Thank you Cyril (and the many others), for opening my eyes to the light of knowledge.

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