What are samples of "Outlaw Genes" I read this in a paper > Keller and Ross describe their greenbeard gene as an ‘ **outlaw** ’. Admittedly, the comment is only made in passing, but are they correct? In this context **an outlaw is usually defined as a gene whose action favours itself, but opposes the reproductive interests of the individual organism.** Where there are outlaws, natural selection at different loci is pulling the organism in different directions. Theoretically speaking, green-beard genes... Yes: < Basically loving your children is outlaw because it makes you sacrifice resources for your children. However, if your interest is defined as maximizing the number of children, then it's just your stuff working properly. Outlaw genes will be something that makes you die for a cause or stuff like that I suppose.

The _t_ locus, which is described in detail in this book by Robert Trivers, is the classic 'outlaw' or 'selfish' gene.

If a heterozygous (single) _t_ allele is present in the paternal mouse, the t locus is evident in sperm 95% of the time. Talk about "Breakin' the Law"! As a locus whose main phenotype seems to be for mitotic cheating, t seems to convey little or no benefit to the other genes by way of helping the host survive. _t/t_ homozygotes are sterile. Nice summary here.