Comment by mjan22640

Since the discovery of DNA we build up the common knowledge that "it is all in the DNA", and the basis of evolution is a random change in DNA. It was due to a selection bias, DNA is a static structure that sits there and waits to be studied while the nano processes in a cell were impenetrable until fairly recently. DNA only contains templates for proteins. It does not contain informtion how to assemble the molecular machines from the proteins, or how "to be alive" in general. A cell is a fairly intelligent problem solver, that can adapt and chang during its lifetime, it does not need to wait for a mutation to occur. There is heritable information outside of DNA, that is epigenetic in its nature. In a multicellular organism this information is communicated and shared between cells. A beneficial DNA mutation is like a lottery win. It might be viable strategy in viruses an bacteria, who divide at an astronomical speed. A multicellular organism gametes divide only a handfull of times per generation. These need to put a more concerted effort, than a random chance, to score.