Neither evolution, nor life, rely exclusively on genes and traditional vertical gene transfer.

What is Einstein's genetic contribution to civilization? Or Shakespeare's? Or Netwon's?

Life, especially complex life, is a complex pattern of vertical gene transfer, as well as both vertical and horizontal meme transfer.

Just because we/life as a whole couldn't persist that long without reproduction doesn't mean that there aren't still many hundreds of absolutely necessary processes that also absolutely have to happen for life to carry on for any significant amount of time.