for: - MET - METI - Major Evolutionary Transition in Individuality - definition - Major Evolutionary Transition in Individuality (METI) - two conditions for METI - 1. living forms that were capable of independent replication before the replication can only replicate as part of a larger unit after the MET - 2. there is a lack of within-group conflict such that the larger unit can be thought of as a fitness-maximizing individual in its own right. - When these 2 conditions are met, evolution lea a new higher level organism. - The new individual acts with a single purpose where the interests of the previously independent individuals are now aligned.