According to Richard Hawkins, author of The Selfish Gene, we leave behind both genes and memes when we die. Memes are replicating units of cultural transmission and imitation, while genes are replicating units of biological transmission. Our genetic aspect, Dawkins notes, will be lost after three generations, for our genetic contribution to our descendents is halved with each generation. The genes themselves might be immortal, but the collection of genes comprising any human being soon loses its integrity as it crumbles away in the generative process.
"Elizabeth II is a direct descendent of William the Conqueror. Yet it is quite probable that she bears not a single one of the king's genes. We should not seek immortality in reproduction.... But if you contribute to the world's culture, if you have a good idea, compose a tune, invent a spark plug, write a poem, it may live on.... The meme-complexes of Socrates, Leonardo, Copernicus, and Marconi are still going strong."
"Elizabeth II is a direct descendent of William the Conqueror. Yet it is quite probable that she bears not a single one of the king's genes. We should not seek immortality in reproduction.... But if you contribute to the world's culture, if you have a good idea, compose a tune, invent a spark plug, write a poem, it may live on.... The meme-complexes of Socrates, Leonardo, Copernicus, and Marconi are still going strong."