Not So Good

In the 2nd chapter of the Selfish Gene, Dawkins begins to talk about DNA. The different functions, responsibilities, and the main role that DNA plays in our bodies. Dawkins says that, “it is the most successful and productive replicator in the world.” (Chpt. 2) He states that they develop more intricate shells over time to protect themselves and their vital and complex hard work. This is true considering that all DNA molecules have substances and fluids surrounding them and fighting off infections and viruses. Like any other species, DNA had to go through a process of elimination, only the fittest and most prolific DNA were kept within that particular species and the rest diminished in quantity completely. This terminology is now known as Natural Selection. And natural selection will continue to occur as times passes and our bodies will adapt and flourish.

According to Dawkins, "Genes are competing directly with their alleles for survival . . . Any gene that that behaves in such a way as to increase its own survival chances in a gene pool at the expense of its alleles will, by definition, tautologously (true by virtue of logic alone), tend to survive. The gene is the basic unit of selfishness" (Dawkins 36). Upon reading this I began to think of the irony in what Dawkins tells us, as children we are taught that God was the maker of heaven and earth and that he is all good and everything he makes is beautiful etc. I guess not, according to Dawkins, of course. As we see here, he tells us that even in our microorganisms we are selfish and violent. And if everything that God made were good than we wouldn’t see this. It also shows that many aspects of our life are life even though they aren’t expected, are corrupted and bloodthirsty.