EVOLVING A REPLICATOR The Genetic Programming of Self Reproduction in Cellular Automata

This paper presents the results of an investigative study into the evolution of cellular automata replicators using Genetic Programming (GP) techniques (i.e. using Genetic Algorithms (GAs) to build/evolve complex systems). There are at least two reasons why such a study might be considered interesting. One reason is to explore how difficult the evolution of (CA) replicators might be, a topic of importance for Artificial Life. Another reason is the possibility that the evolution of CAs, if successful, may provide tools for next-generation quantum-electronic computers (e.g. using "quantum dot arrays") which may use CAs as their operating principle.