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Side Box 4.1: Genic Selection, Selfish Gene, or Replicator Selection.

Despite the name, the theory of genic selection considers the allele as the fundamental unit of selection. The allele is the fundamental "replicator" as it gets copied during meiosis and mitosis. Accordingly, the term replicator selection has been synonymized with genic selection. The term selfish gene has also been applied to the theory, with reference to the notion that in the extreme case, the selfish gene is only concerned with propagating itself even at the expense of the individual (see t allele in mice below).

When we think of the concept of genic selection, or the selfish gene, or replicator selection think in terms of the allele. Unfortunately, such terminology adds uneeded confusion to what are already difficult concepts. Realize that genic selection, selfish gene, and replicator selection refer to an allelic copy -- the fundamental replicator.


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