The Selfish Gene , 50 years on — it’s time for an update

Image: Nature
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Wires & papers of record
- Nature, Published online: 26 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03393-5 A focus on the gene alone has become outdated. Books that capture the complexity of life deserve centre stage.
- Nature, Published online: 26 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03398-0 Nature’s survey of almost 4,000 researchers shows that you’re not alone if you struggle to make ends meet or your last pay rise is a distant memory.
- Nature, Published online: 26 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03392-6 An eloquent analysis of the origins of human speech suggests that social cohesion, not conflict, drove our use of words.