Non-random mutations and directed evolution

A review of mutation mechanisms across a range of organisms (including viruses, bacteria, insects, animals, and humans) has been performed. Considering the complexity of their genomes and population sizes, it is concluded that mutations leading to the emergence of beneficial adaptations are not random but are instead regulated processes. While some mutations occur randomly and can be used to reconstruct phylogenetic trees, this does not imply that they generate new species. New species arise as a result of non-random genomic changes that have a high degree of protection against chance. Random mutations tend to occur in regions of the genome that are less protected from such changes. Thus, evolution is not a random process but is governed by the principles that regulate biologically important molecules and organisms as a whole. In the frame of the systems approach mathematical model has been proposed, that incorporates both random and regulated processes.