Eli5: We have a dna correction system to avoid variations, but, sexual reproduction to promote variations. So, Are variations good?
In: Biology
Some variations are good; most variations are bad.
If you were to make any random change to our DNA, it’s likely the modification will be harmful, or even lethal. If the DNA stays identical, there is a higher risk of either being out competed or harmed by environmental changes.
A good balance between these is to try and minimize random changes during life, while encouraging changes during reproduction. A lot of the permutations produced will be non-viable, but you can keep trying until you get a viable offspring, so long as you remain in a healthy state. In humans, this means the vast majority of permutations of eggs and sperm will be non-viable, often before fertilization, though sometimes these will result in miscarriages or infants that die shortly after birth.
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