Is there a gene that makes you selfish?

The Selfish Gene was extremely popular when first published, causing “a silent and almost immediate revolution in biology”, and it continues to be widely read. It has sold over a million copies, and has been translated into more than 25 languages.

What does Hamilton’s Rule predict?

INTRODUCTION. Hamilton’s rule predicts that individuals should be more likely to altruistically help closer kin and likewise, be more likely to receive help from closer kin ( Hamilton 1964 ).

Is altruism genetic?

While researchers have had evidence for years that altruistic behavior is at least partly influenced by genetics, that evidence has come mainly from studies of twins reporting how altruistic they are, which have found that people with identical genetic material show similar patterns of altruism.

Why is The Selfish Gene controversial?

The fundamental argument that The Selfish Gene makes is that the natural selection process in the evolution of living beings is not about making the species, community or group secure. It is about making the individual secure, and the individual is merely a vehicle for its genes.

Is selfishness genetic or learned?

A new study from the University of Reading shows how natural selection determines the frequencies of selfishness and altruism in successive generations. Studies in behavior genetics show that around 40\% of the willingness to help others is inherited.

What is C in Hamilton’s rule?

C = the reproductive cost to the individual performing the act. This inequality is known as Hamilton’s rule after W. D. Hamilton who in 1964 published the first formal quantitative treatment of kin selection.

What do RB and C represent in Hamilton’s rule?

B is the benefit (in number of offspring equivalents) gained by the recipient of the altruism, ℂ is the cost (in number of offspring equivalents) suffered by the donor while undertaking the altruistic behaviour, and r is the genetic relatedness of the altruist to the beneficiary.

Why is the selfish gene controversial?

Do other animals sacrifice themselves?

Some wildlife researchers believe that altruism—defined as an act in which an animal sacrifices its own well-being for the benefit of another animal—is a well-documented behavior. Those who say animal altruism exists cite examples such as dolphins helping others in need or a leopard caring for a baby baboon.