Good article although it could have been better. I wish the author hadn't anthropomorphized the genes as it misrepresents the driving force behind evolution and perpetuates a common misunderstanding among lay people ie. That organisms strive or desire to improve. Genes do not have any intent at all. They are not jumping from species to species so they can survive. Their horizontal transfer is entirely serendipitous. The fact that this process persists at all is not because genes are trying to survive but simply because the process allows them to survive.
Yes, it was quite low level. Maybe there are or will be others that are more sophisticated and informed.
As for genes not trying to survive but that the process allows them to survive, isn't that the same thing? Genes can only survive if the conditions are right. They will take every opportunity, but they can't change the conditions.
Lois
There is a subtle difference. One implies a level of intent and actions taken to reach a desired goal. Genes have no goal. They just exist and if they happen to acquire characteristics that allow them to exist in greater numbers then they become more common but there was never any intent or goal on the part of the gene. Genes do not strive to be more successful or more numerous or widespread