--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They have come a long way, those…" description: "\"“They have come a long way, those replicators. Now they go by the name of genes, and we are their survival machines.”\" — Richard Dawkins" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2d/richard-dawkins-115_computers_they-have-come-a-long-way-those-replicat_1781362.jpg" --- # They have come a long way, those replicators. Now they go… ![“They have come a long way, those replicators. Now they go by the name of genes, and we are their survival machines.” quote by Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2d/richard-dawkins-115_computers_they-have-come-a-long-way-those-replicat_1781362.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2d/richard-dawkins-115_computers_they-have-come-a-long-way-those-replicat_1781362.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2d/richard-dawkins-115_computers_they-have-come-a-long-way-those-replicat_1781362.jpg) > ““They have come a long way, those replicators. Now they go by the name of genes, and we are their survival machines.”” [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Genes are machines that replicate, making organisms their carriers. **In simple terms:** Genes drive evolution through replication. Key Takeaway Understand biological drives. Themes evolution genetics survival Mood analytical thoughtful Type scientific philosophical When to use this quote - medical research - education - environmental policy Key Concepts replication information selection Questions to Reflect On - How does this view affect ethics? - What are limits of genetic determinism? A Different Perspective Simplifies complex biology to mechanistic view. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Evolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evolution/) [Genes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genes/) [Genes Survival](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genes-survival-1864628/) [Long way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-way/) [Machines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/machines/) [Replicators Genes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/replicators-genes-1864627/) [Survival Machines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/survival-machines-1864629/) ## Related quotes > [They are in you and me; they created us, body and mind; and their preservation is the ultimate rationale for our existence. 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And of all its money-making rip-offs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/the-roman-catholic-church-is-an-institution-for-whose-gains-the/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [Let us understand what our own selfish genes are up to because we may then at least have the chance to upset their designs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/let-us-understand-what-our-own-selfish-genes-are-up-to-because-we-may/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [What's going to happen when I die? I may be buried, or I may be cremated, I may give my body to science. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/what-s-going-to-happen-when-i-die-i-may-be-buried-or-i-may-be/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [Or why it is acceptable to train fast runners and high jumpers but not to breed them. 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