The Selfish Gene Algorithm: a New Evolutionary Optimization Strategy

This paper proposes a new general approach for optimization algorithms in the Evolutionary Computation field. The approach is inspired by the Selfish Gene theory, an interpretation of the Darwinian theory given by the biologist Richard Dawkins, in which the basic element of evolution is the gene, rather than the individual. The paper defines the Selfish Gene Algorithm, that implements such a view of the evolution mechanism. We tested the approach by implementing a Selfish Gene Algorithm on a case study, and we found better results than those provided by a Genetic Algorithm on the same problem and with the same fitness function.