[corkoman]

DNA doesn’t drive evolution, and isn’t actually vital to the life of cells: some cells get by with no DNA for months. OTOH, neuronic cells use DNA to build various neurotransmitter chemicals and do it all the time.

Nice non-sequitors.

Well, Ok, then mutations to DNA drive natural selection which over eons drives species change , aka evolution. Bu the cells would not be made without DNA so I would hold off on statements that cells dont need DNA.

Several examples of cells without nucleic acid - red blood cells- they only last a few weeks at best. But without DNA they cannot replicate.

Most neurotransmitters are not proteins but they are fabricated from enzymes that are proteins made from instructions included in DNA.

[RightWhale]

My non sequiters have been overshadowed and vanquished to their shame by your own.

[muawiyah]

You gotta' give up on this "mutation thing". There's a gazillion DIFFERENT types of genes readily found in the open ocean ~ it's time we got cracking with an artificial lifeform into which we could plug them to see what they do

Presumably they "do" something ~ might even be the makings of an FTL intergalactic spacecruiser out there for all anybody knows.

Certainly the critters who terraformed Earth left us with some of the good stuff Fur Shur.